Torrington- Richard D. “Dick” Calhoun, 79, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington. He was the beloved husband of the late Ida (Lane) Calhoun. Mr. Calhoun was born in Meriden on September 6, 1939, son of the late Peter E. Calhoun, Sr., and Theresa R. (D’Avignon) Calhoun, and had been a North Canaan resident for many years, before moving to Torrington in 1992.
In North Canaan, he attended local schools and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village. During his high school years, he was active in track and field events, gymnastics, and musical activities. He studied Civil Engineering at Norwich University and the University of Connecticut and subsequently became a water supply project engineer for the Henry Souther Engineering Company in Hartford.
In 1972 he joined the Torrington Water Company as General Manger and in 1977 was elected President and Director of the company. He retired from the Torrington Water Company with 33 years of service. Dick also served as Director of the Plainville Water Company.
He was a member of the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, the New England Waterworks Association, the American Waterworks Association, and the National Association of Water Companies. While a resident of Canaan, Dick was a member of the Canaan Fire District Committee; a member and Vice Chairman of the North Canaan Board of Education; and a member and Vice Chairman of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School Board of Education. He was a member of the Northwest Connecticut Health Corporation, and had served as Chairman; a member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Water Works Association.
Since moving to Torrington in 1992, Dick has been involved in many community organizations. He is a Trustee Emeritus of Torrington Savings Bank, where he also served as Chairman; a Trustee of the Torrington Library Association, where he previously served as Treasurer; a Corporator of the Torrington Historical Society; a Corporator and member of the Board of Governors of Charlotte Hungerford Hospital; a member of the Board of Managers of Brooker Memorial; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hillside Cemetery Association. He enjoyed sportscars, racing, and traveling to Watkins Glen Speedway.
Dick will be remembered for his generous philanthropic works. Survivors include his siblings, Edith L. “Dede” Mebus and her husband Lawrence of Torrington and Peter E. Calhoun, Jr., and his wife Janet of Laguna Hills, CA; three nephews, Michael Calhoun, Gregory Hakulin, John Hakulin; and a niece, Meghan Calhoun. Dick was predeceased by two sons, Michael Calhoun and Richard Calhoun.
Friends may call Tuesday, January 29, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington, with a service to be offered at 8:00p.m. Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00a.m. at Salisbury Cemetery, Salisbury, CT. At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Torrington Library Association, 12 Daycoeton Place, Torrington, CT 06790.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
