Allen Caldwell

CALDWELL, , Allen G., age 83, died in Miami on October 2, 2012. He was born in Covington, KY on Jan. 26, 1929, the son of Thelma Mayer and Dr. Allen G. Caldwell of Covington and Pendleton County, KY, where Caldwells have been on the same land since before the Civil War. Allen came to So. Fla. in 1937, first to Coral Gables and then to Miami Beach. He attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA and graduated from Miami Beach High School. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, he returned to Miami, where further studies at Jackson Memorial Hosp. led to national certification by the Amer. Board of Bioanalysis and licensure in Fla. as a Clinical Laboratory Director. He owned laboratories, and directed various private and hospital laboratories in Dade County. He taught medical technology for 23 years and was active in several professional associations. Allen had a lifelong interest in local history and historic preservation, and was a fellow of the Historical Association of Southern Florida for more than 10 years. His dedication and interest in Everglades ecology was evident in the way he taught his daughters to love the outdoors, camping, canoeing and appreciating the flora and fauna of the area. In his retirement years he enjoyed spending time in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve, and was a founding member of the Friends of Fakahatchee. He served 15 years in several offices and as a member of the Board of Directors. Allen is survived by Elsa Enrich, his wife of 55 years, and daughters Carolyn (Robert Munger) of Columbus, OH and Jacquelyn (Neil Feldman) of Miami. He had a special relationship with his wife's Masson family, and was particularly fond of James Masson, Sylvia Masson Otero (Lorenzo), Stephen Masson (Donna) and his many nieces & nephews, whom he regarded as his own local family. Friends and family may visit from 6-8 PM on Fri., Oct. 5 at VAN ORSDEL CORAL GABLES CHAPEL, 4600 SW 8th Street. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Sat., Oct. 6 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1400 Miller Rd. (corner of San Amaro Dr.), Coral Gables.