Obituary of Hartwell Calcote

HARTWELL F. CALCOTE Hartwell Forrest Calcote ("Cal"), age 93 years, passed away on October 11 after a brief illness. Cal lived a long and full life and was known for his generosity and great sense of humor. He was born in Meadville, PA, the first child of Forrest C. and Amanda Korte Calcote. He grew up in Washington, DC, where he developed his interests in music and science. Cal played the clarinet and cello, was captain of his high school cadet band, drum major and assistant conductor of the Catholic University Band, and auditioned for the United States Marine Band, a fact of which he was proud. Cal was awarded a full scholarship to study Chemical Engineering at The Catholic University of America in Washington. In 1943 he married his childhood sweetheart, Marianna Rixey, and was admitted to graduate school at Princeton University as the first married student in the Chemistry Department. As a graduate student he taught pre-radar electronics to navy officers and received his PhD in 1948. Cal's thesis, "Electrical Properties of Flames," led to significant developments in the study of ions in flames. After working at Experiment Incorporated in Richmond, VA, he returned to Princeton to serve as President and Director of Research of a new company, AeroChem Research Laboratories. At AeroChem, he continued his research on propulsion and chemical ionization, was awarded numerous patents, and published more than 50 articles and book chapters. He was active in the Combustion Institute, serving on the Board of Directors for many years and as President from 1988 to 1992. He was very proud to receive their highest award for his contributions in the field of combustion. Cal was an avid hiker, canoeist and camper. He especially enjoyed canoeing trips with his son Randy. In his later years, while living at Meadow Lakes in Hightstown, he developed the first map of the trails through the woods and was working on a book, with photographs, about the trees of Meadow Lakes. Among his other enthusiasms were tennis, gardening and competitive chess games with his brother Robert. He and Marianna traveled extensively. An active member of the United Methodist Church of Princeton, Cal served in many positions and on many committees. Hartwell and Marianna Rixey were married for 66 years, until her death in 2009. They are survived by their four children: Elaine (Jim Britt; children John and Caroline); Linda (Ken Kayser; son Christopher, his wife Kara, daughters Kaitlyn and Emily); Randy (Judy, daughter Lauren); Donna (Bob Briggs; sons Benjamin, his wife Karen, daughter Emily; and Michael). A memorial service will be held at Meadow Lakes in Hightstown, NJ on Saturday, October 19 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corner House, One Monument Drive, Princeton, NJ 08540 or Doctors Without Borders, P.O. Box 5023, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5023.