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<p><em>Joseph Rodney Calek</em>, the son of Evelyn and Joseph Calek, was born in Omaha, NE. He received a congressional competitive appointment to West Point from Nebraska’s U.S. Senator Roman L. Hruska and matriculated to the Academy in June 1962.</p>
<p>During his four years at West Point, Joe was a true Renaissance man—he was an academic standout, he participated in multiple sporting endeavors, he demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, and he participated in and pursued an ever-expanding group of far-ranging endeavors and interests. It was a harbinger of things to come. He had an infectious personality; a contagious smile; a super-charged positive, can-do attitude; and a unique sense of humor that caused a smile or smirk on the faces of one and all. Joe was an active member of the Cardinal Newman Forum, the Rocket Society, the Russian Club, the Cadet Band (he played a mean trumpet) and the Astronomy Club. Proud of his Czech ancestry, he was dubbed the “Happy Czech.” He valued his friendships and always made time to help his friends. He graduated with distinction in June 1966 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.</p>
<p>Taking full advantage of two months leave before reporting to his first duty station, Joe headed for London, picked up an MGB and toured Europe for the next six weeks. As was the case at West Point, Joe was highly resourceful and made friends easily and enjoyed Europe’s cultural and social highlights to the fullest! The highlight of the trip for him was the time spent in Prague, where he had the opportunity to practice his Czech and immerse himself in Czech culture.</p>
<p>After Airborne and Ranger schools, Joe’s first duty station was with the 307th Engineer Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division. Thereafter he was deployed for a year to Vietnam. He served as a headquarters and company commander with the 554th Engineer Battalion. For his service in Vietnam he was awarded two Bronze Stars, one for valor and one for merit. He also received the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.</p>
<p>From 1971 to 1972, then Captain Calek pursued advanced engineering degrees from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. He graduated with Master of Science degrees in both applied mechanics and civil engineering. Shortly thereafter he joined the academic faculty at West Point for a three-year tour in the Department of Mechanics. By all accounts, he was a fantastic educator, providing not only subject matter expertise but also unparalleled enthusiasm and energy in the classroom. Given his love of science, can-do attitude and unfailing sense of humor, it’s likely the very dry and challenging course in thermodynamics was a uniquely special class for cadets during Joe’s West Point teaching years.</p>
<p>Subsequent to his time teaching at West Point, Joe attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. After graduation therefrom, he was sent to Korea, where he served for a year as the operations officer for the 2nd Engineer Battalion. Upon returning from Korea, Joe was assigned to the Civil Engineering Lab in Port Hueneme, CA, where he served as director of support operations for three years. He was then transferred to the Pentagon, serving in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as an analyst for program analysis and evaluation.</p>
<p>In 1982, Lieutenant Colonel Calek received orders to serve as the commanding officer of the 78th Engineer Battalion in Ettlinger, Germany. It was a particularly meaningful assignment for him, and he was proud of the achievements of his battalion and its soldiers. As his wife, Mary-Lea Calek, said, “He did not send his soldiers on their daily five-mile run, he led them on it.” While in Germany and reminiscent of his band playing days at West Point, he started his own Polka band, for which he was a trumpet player and Polka dancer! Joe and Mary-Lea won Polka dance competitions while in Germany. In 1984, at his change of command ceremony, the Ettlinger City Council offered their castle for the ceremony, the first time in over 100 years. Mary-Lea remembers that it was raining that day, and the mayor of Ettlinger told Joe the whole country was crying because this wonderful officer, his wife and their sons were leaving Germany—a fitting tribute indeed.</p>
<p>The year 1984 found Lieutenant Colonel Calek attending the Naval War College in Newport, RI. Tragically, his life was cut short when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died on November 8, 1984.</p>
<p>Joe had a multi-dimensional personality and a zest for life that was an inspiration to his classmates and friends alike. He was devoted to his family and always found time for others. For sure, he was a Renaissance man—scholar, educator, leader and musician—who used his talents to the fullest and for the betterment of all. He served his country with pride and distinction. We will never know what the future may have held for him; but, as classmates, we are grateful to have known him and we are better people for that opportunity.</p>
<p><em>— Tom Wagner, Classmate</em></p>
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