Joseph Anthony Caliendo

I worked in the same office with Joseph during his time at Florida DOT. He was a great guy and fun to be around.
My condolences to the family for your loss.

Joe was both a friend and coworker. I first met him when he joined our staff at the Florida Department of Transportation, Structures Office, in Tallahassee many years ago. For the few years I had been there, we did not have a geotechnical engineer even though a bridge's most important element is its foundation. Joe brought his knowledge, expertise, wit, humor, and his personality to make our work all the more interesting and productive. He also introduced me to wrestling - the real thing, not the fake TV stuff - when he invited me to Leon High School to witness one of his sons in a contest. It was very illuminating. Many years later, when he was in Utah, I brought my wife and family to see him when we were on our way to an engineering conference in Jackson Hole. We had flown into Salt Lake City, rented a car and drove to Jackson Hole. But first we had to stop at the University and visit with Joe. As was his wont, he welcomed us, took us around, and gave us a tip on what we would see once we arrived at Jackson Hole, that was around 1996. We have never forgotten that trip and that time with Joe.

I remember Joe. He was one fun teacher. Condolences to Tony and Frank who were pals of mine back in college. Your father had one of the best attitudes a person and professor could have.

Dr. Joe was my favorite professor at Utah State. He had the best sense of humor and was always available to give help and encouragement. One particular memory I have of him was when I was taking his surveying class. We were taking the final, and I had completed all but one of the questions on the exam. I was sitting there trying to think of how to solve this last problem when Dr. Joe came up to me, looked down at my paper, then looked at me and whispered, "Come on, you can do this! You can figure this out!" Dr. Joe, you will be missed!

In the 90's I loved running up Logan Canyon with Joe, and eating spaghetti with Frank and Tony for lunch.

I worked at the USU food court in Logan during my undergraduate education. As a side interest I took a Latin class. Joe saw me studying Latin and thought that was cool. He told me we needed more people learning Latin. He was always kind when I served him. I'm sorry for your loss.

I worked at the Hub food court at USU during my undergraduate education. As a side interest I took a Latin class. Joe saw me studying Latin and thought that was cool. He told me we needed more people learning Latin. He was always kind when I served him. The Cliendos are a wonderful family. I'm sorry for your loss.

I will sorely miss the impromptu visits that Joe and I had when, as I passed in the hall, I stuck my head in his always open office door to say hi, and we ended up having a delightful wide ranging conversation on topics of great import until one of his students would show up needing help.

"Dr. Joe", as all who knew him was called, was one of this planet's best people. He was beloved by his students, respected by his colleagues, and a good friend to me and to so many folks. He loved to teach and to share his knowledge. His home was a "home away from home" to his students. We spent many hours sharing thoughts in his finished basement. We ran together, literally, laughed together and shared our common interests for 30 years. While we didn't see other often we never lost touch. He will be missed by many....
S. Scot Litke

Doctor Joe was the single greatest educator I have ever had the honor of learning from. Not only was he a great teacher, he was a true friend to his students. Dr. Joe not only knew his student's names, he cared about each and every one of us as individuals. Were it not for Dr. Joe, I would not have completed the engineering program at USU. I was about to drop out when he sat me down and convinced me that I not only "could" do it, but somehow he knew that I "would" do it, and I WAS doing it. I took as many classes from him as I could, and I seemed to enjoy his humor more than the other students, especially when someone dared walk in late. I reached out to him several times after graduation for advice and to tap into his incredible wealth of knowledge. He was always willing to help, and ALWAYS treated me with the utmost respect. I learned a lot about engineering from this man, but even more about life. As Dr. Joe would often say, "Enjoy Life!"...and that he did. I am so grateful for the chance to have known him. Much love, Dr. Joe!!!

Joe taught me about deep foundations two months ago in Cincinnati. He was a great instructor, engineer and personality. He will be sorely missed in the Geotechnical Community.

Joe was our first geotechnical engineer at the Florida Department of Transportation. It was my pleasure to have known him and worked together on a number of projects. He was also very gracious to my wife and kids when we visited him in Utah State. His love of life, his great sense of humor, and his ability to work with others was a treasure that will be missed.
Antonio M. Garcia

Dr. Joe you will be sorely missed. One of the best educators there was. My condolences go out to your family. I am truly sorry I was not able to make it to your services. I just meet with you this summer after ten years of graduating about coming back and mentoring me for a graduate degree and you still remembered who I was. Thank you for everything you taught me. I remembered you were a fellow vet but did not remember you were also a fellow diver. Wish we could have taken a trip.

Joe was the "real deal" a real Mench. Only spoke well of people and made us laugh a lot. We were thrilled to have him working with us at FDOT and he always made the complex seem simple for us to understand. He will be missed by so many!

Tony, Frank, Gina, Chrissi, and Maria are very luck to have a dad like Joe. We who knew them were even luckier, because Joe accepted us and made us feel like family. From the first spaghetti dinner, to hanging with the band or watching a game Joes house was always a welcoming place. Thank you Caliendo Family for sharing Joe with all of us. You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

Ah, Joe. Playing hard as always. I grew up with Joe and his sister, Kathy, in Huntington Woods, MI. Joe, Peter Grant, and I were known as the three amigos. I have great memories of Joe and those times that will never fade. I can only imagine the sadness his family feels to lose someone so dear to them. Please know my heartfelt sympathy goes out to each and everyone of them.- Douglas Matkin

Ah Joe,
I thought I was over crying when it was time to say goodbye to you. I hated it when you had to leave. You were my favorite. I love you.

Dear Caliendo Family - I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed getting to know Dr. Caliendo. Such a good man! Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. - Ken Snyder