Calvin Pence Owen

Calvin P. Owen passed away on November 17, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was born on December 13, 1922 in Columbus, Ohio. Cal graduated from Granville High School in Granville, Ohio. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN for one year before transferring to Ohio State University. His college career was interrupted by World War II where he served with the 533rd Engineers Boat and Shore Regiment as a part of the Army Corps of Engineers in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. After the war he finished college and graduated from OSU with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree.

Cal married the love of his life, Ann (Napier), in 1948. They were married for sixty-seven years until Ann’s passing in 2016.

He was a Professional Engineer registered in Michigan, Ohio and Florida.  All of his working life was with Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., retiring in 1988 following seventeen years as President. He was an Honorary Life member of the Michigan Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and a Life Member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Cal believed in giving back to his community, serving as a board member for many organizations including the United Way, American Red Cross of West Michigan, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Porter Hills Village and the YMCA.  He was an Emeritus Trustee of Alma College (Alma, MI).

He was a member of the Siesta Key Chapel (Presbyterian) in Sarasota, FL. Prior to joining the Siesta Key Chapel, he was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids for over sixty years where he served as Deacon, Trustee (President of the Board) and Elder.

Memberships included Kent Country Club, the University Club, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Grand Rapids Rotary Club, York Lodge F & AM and the Sons of the American Revolution. He was especially proud of belonging to the Field Club in Sarasota, FL where he enjoyed playing tennis as well as entertaining friends and family. He enjoyed spending the winters in Sarasota making friends everywhere he went.

Cal is survived by his children; David (Sue) Owen of Bloomfield Hills, MI, James Owen of Grand Rapids, MI, Patricia (William) Stieber of Farmington Hills, MI and daughter-in-law Linda Owen of Rockford, MI. There are seven grandchildren; Melissa (Mark) Korff, Laura (Peter) Breckner, Sara Owen, Jenna (Michael) Schaut, Mark Owen, Katherine Stieber and Elizabeth Stieber. Cal also has nine great-grandchildren. He loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much.

The family is very grateful for the care Cal received while living at the Green House (Porter Hills) for the past five months as well as the wonderful support care he has received from the Giving Care Group over the last two years. Cal was also in the care of Emmanuel Hospice during the last few weeks. Most importantly, we are forever grateful to Linda Owen as she loved and cared for our dad for over seven years.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, 1049 E. Paris Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, 475 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 or the Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key, FL 34242.

There will be a family service at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A Celebration of Life will be held on Siesta Key, FL in the new year.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Calvin Pence Owen, please visit our floral store.