Steve Kalvelage

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(Copied from another source)

Steven Charles Kalvelage, 65, of Weeki Wachee, Florida died at home on October 31, 2019. He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the second child of Alban and Lois (Beierwaltes) Kalvelage. 

Steven entered the Army at the age of 17, becoming a member of Special Forces. He served in Central and South America, Northern Europe and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11. He retired in 2003 after thirty years proudly serving his country. 

He worked at Natick Labs in Massachusetts for the Department of Defense designing cold weather gear and parachutes for the U.S. army. 
He attended the University of Lowell for engineering and graduated from the FAA Academy in Oklahoma to become an air traffic controller in Boston and New Hampshire. 

Steven spent many years as a NRA instructor in NH and Florida. He built his home himself on Great Bay in Durham, NH where he enjoyed boating and flying his Cessna airplane. 

He is predeceased by his father, Alban Kalvelage. 

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Alison Kalvelage of Weeki Wachee, FL; mother, Lois Kalvelage of Spring Hill, FL; 3 siblings, James Kalvelage and his wife, Vicki of New Mexico; Karen Riesbeck and her husband, William of IL; Kathy Alvins and her husband, Mitch of Brooksville, FL; beloved niece, Molly Ciszewski of Massachusetts; and many other nieces, nephews, extended family and friends throughout the country. 
Steven will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

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(Additional notes provided by one of Steve's friends):

 Steve served 30 years Special Forces A Team--Operational Detachment Alphas (ODA).

He ran the student instruction program at Pepperell Skydiving Center with Rich Sentner in 1980's.

He absolutely adored his wife, Alison, and constantly expressed his appreciation for her loving support through the many stages of his medical treatments the past couple of years. 

 

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Steve Kalvelage is presented with a statue by Dick Nazarro
recognizing his selection as the 1980 Soldier of the Year for 
A/1/11th Special Forces Group, Fort Devens, Massachusetts"

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This Memorial Day weekend we honor our friend, Steve Kalvelage, who left us too soon last fall. Summarizing several tributes written after his passing: he was a great skydiving instructor partnering with Rich Sentner in the student instruction program at Pepperell, MA, jump pilot and air traffic controller, and by all accounts an excellent soldier, serving with the 10^th, 11th, and 20th Special Forces Groups. Selected as the A/1/11th Soldier of the Year in 1980, his numerous deployments included Europe, Central and South America, and Afghanistan.  Retiring after thirty years of service, he subsequently served as an NRA instructor in NH and FL, and worked for many years at Natick Labs for the DOD designing cold weather gear and parachutes for the U.S. Army. His many civilian-acquired skills as a skydiver, pilot, and air traffic controller made him one of the more knowledgeable members of the special forces community in the field of air operations.  He adored his wife Alison, and was an incredible friend to so many others.  We miss you Steve.  Thank you for your service. 

Steve preparing a rubber boat for a C-130 water parachute drop off

Steve, 4th from left, was a member of ODA-114, A/1/11th for many years.
This photo was taken during a Flintlock mission in Europe in the late 1970s.