Major Ronald C. Callen's Obituary
Ronald Charles Callen, 78, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 12th, 2022, in Tallahassee, Florida. Ron was born November 26, 1943, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Donald and Dorothy Callen. After graduating from Johnstown High School in 1961, Ron was accepted into Pennsylvania State University as an engineering student. He was ready to graduate 3 1/2 years later when Representative John Saylor nominated him to the Air Force Academy. Ron was a commander of the 11th squadron during his time at the Air Force Academy, and he graduated from the academy with high honors in 1969. He married Dana Gay (Zook) Callen that same year in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on December 27th.
After graduation from the academy, his first duty was serving as a captain at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. He served his country through leadership roles across Air Force bases in Pennsylvania, California, and Texas. Rather than following the expected path to becoming a pilot, Ron found his way into Air Force recruiting and made a name for himself at the recruiting detachment in Pittsburgh, where they became the top outfit in the nation. He then moved on to recruiting headquarters in the analysis department and was responsible for the adoption of new recruiting methods that are still used today. The time he spent serving his country in many capacities served as a core area of pride in his life.
Always focused on education and expanding his way of thinking through problems, Ron set his sights on further education. He continued his professional career while also graduating from the South Texas College of Law. From there, he went on to serve in a leadership role as Administrator of the Ausley Law Firm in Tallahassee, Florida for 24 years before retirement. During his time there, he helped many high school and college-age aspiring business/legal professionals take on part time support roles at the firm to encourage their personal and future career growth.
Ron loved music – from his time as a first-chair trumpet player in the band to the words of The Impossible Dream – and thought athletics and sports were an important part of a life well lived. But above all else, Ron viewed his role as a husband and father his most important roles. He and Dana were married for nearly 53 years, and as he said to his kids, Lisa and Scott, in one Father’s Day email, “I had a dream, and you both are it. Thanks for the most wonderful experience one could have.”
Ron is survived by his wife, Dana, of Tallahassee, Florida; his son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons, Scott, Krista, Taylor and Bryce Callen, of Tallahassee, Florida; his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and grandson, Lisa, Aaron, Leah, and Jacob Soltz of Prairie Village, Kansas; and his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Mary Callen of Portage, Pennsylvania.
He will be interred with full military honors at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on November 18 at 2pm.
“To this glorious quest, that my heart will lie peaceful and calm, when I am laid to rest.”
– The Impossible Dream
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