Max Dean Caldwell

Max Dean Caldwell, 77, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, passed away at home peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. He was the loving husband of Frances (Mertz) Caldwell.

Max was born on April 2, 1942, in Creston; a son of the late Kenneth and Helen (Denton) Caldwell. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 and served several tours of duty in Vietnam including one year commanding a swift boat. Upon returning to the United States, he completed his master’s degree at the University of California at Berkley in 1970.

Max held various executive positions in the United States and Mexico for Union Carbide. After leaving Union Carbide, he was president of the U.S. operations of Endless Holdings, a British company. The last 10 years of his career he worked for Thermo Electron, managing manufacturing plants in Terryville, Connecticut, and Cincinnati, Ohio.

A resident of Ridgefield since 1981, Max was a volunteer for Ridgefield Pop Warner Football, the Ridgefield Little League, and was chairman of the Water Pollution Control Authority for many years. Max was well known as the “chief all-around fixer” for Founder’s Hall where he was on the board, and for Lounsbury House, where he was an incorporator.

Max is survived by his wife Fran, of 55 years; their children: Mike (Janet) Caldwell and John (Suzette) Caldwell; and his sisters: Donna (Hal) Rusk and Jane (Jerry) Hoover. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Ken, Ryan, Jackson, Dylan and Tyler; and two nieces Jennifer and Amber.

A memorial service will take place at a date and time to be announced. Max will be interred at the Columbarium at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.