Richard H. Calland was a lifelong Beloit resident whose service and contributions to his community earned him his position as a member of Beloit’s Hall of Fame. He was born March 12, 1912, in Beloit, the son of Professor Forest and Ethel Marvin Calland, his father a beloved teacher of classics at Beloit College. He was raised in his family home located at the corner of College and Chapin Street, commonly known today as the “Calland-Blaisdell House.”

A 1930 graduate of Beloit High School, he continued his education at Beloit College where he was Editor of the college newspaper, The Round Table. He was on both the golf and baseball teams, a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity student council and Vesper Choir, graduating in 1934. His long-distinguished career com-menced in 1934, when he became a newspaper reporter for the Rockford Morning Star, reporting news from Beloit, including attending meetings of the City Council of Beloit and he held that position until 1937. In 1937 Dick left reporting to become a cost accountant at the Beloit Iron Works (Beloit Corporation).

On May 31, 1941, Richard H. Calland and Anna Marie Alcan were joined in marriage at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and their family would eventually consist of a son, Richard and daughter, Margaret. Like hundreds of thousands of other young men, when World War II started Dick’s sense of duty to his Country called on him to leave his bride, job and home and in 1942 enlisted in the US Army. Promoted from the enlisted ranks to First Lieutenant of Infantry, he served as a member of the 6th Infantry Division.

In later years it was hard to imagine this tall, distinguished, softspoken, dignified, unpretentious gentleman had served his Country as a combat infantry leader in the vicious battles of New Guinea and the Philippines. Returning to Beloit following the end of World War II, Dick, on June 1, 1946, was hired as city clerk-treasurer of the City of Beloit and commenced what would be 34 years of leadership for his hometown.

In 1961, on the death of City Manager Archie Telfer, Dick was asked to assume the managers duties on an interim basis, but quickly found to be the man who should be selected to replace Mr. Telfer as City Manager. From 1961 to 1967 Richard H. Calland served Beloit as its City Manager. In 1967, recognizing the com-plexity of municipal financing and funding, he proposed the estab-lishment of the position of Finance Director, a position he would hold and that the City seek a professionally trained person to serve as City Manager. His recommendations were accepted and he would then assume the position of Finance Director until his retirement in 1980.

Urban Renewal, codification of municipal ordinances, reorganization of municipal services bringing fiscal accountability to Beloit’s government, the Broad Street Bridge, the Turtle Creek Bridge, all were but a few tasks that Dick Calland performed for Beloit. He was recognized as “Man of the Year” in 1961 and named an “Outstanding Beloiter” in 1966. He served on the YMCA Board of Directors in its building years, the Girl Scouts finance committee, as treasurer of Beloit Family Service, the Corporate Board of the Beloit Savings Bank, Beloit Historical Society, as treasurer of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a member of the Rotary Club of Beloit, the Field-West Post of the American Legion and was always associated with Beloit’s United Givers Fund drives.

In 1967, Richard H. Calland drafted plans for the transformation of Beloit Municipal Hospital into Beloit Memorial Hospital, Inc. and his leadership was instrumental in the work necessary to effect that change, which resulted in the building of a new hospital on Prairie Avenue. He was the first contributor to Beloit Memorial Hospital, Inc. and became its first member. Professionally Mr. Calland served as President of the City Manager’s Association and numerous public accounting organizations where he won honors for himself and Beloit for financial standards and was the author of several articles published by the Municipal Finance Officers Association dealing with municipal accounting.

When Richard H. Calland died at the age of 83, on October 17, 1995, he left a legacy and record of service to his nation, hometown and the people of his community.