Calvin Gander

Calvin J. Gänder – May 30, 1929 – October 2, 2025
Calvin Jacob Gänder, also known to his grandkids as "The Big Mouse," and to many others as the original energizer bunny, left this world doing what he loved most – working outside at his home on Lake Keesus.
Calvin is survived by his son, Dan, daughter, Joy and five grandchildren – Lindsey Halbrooks (Arden), Katrina Ress (Nick), Riley Halbrooks, Taylor Gänder and Jamie Rozzell. He was fortunate to have Jean Schlidt as a loving companion and fellow adventurer for the last ten years. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan, in 2003.
Born in Freeport, Illinois on May 30, 1929, to Ernest and Anna Gänder, Calvin grew up with his folks, and brother, Paul, living in various small communities in the Midwest while his father served as a United Church of Christ minister.
Calvin graduated at 16 from Lexington High School (IL) in 1946, Lakeland College (now University) in 1950 and Marquette University's dental school in 1954. He served as a dentist in the US AirForce from 1954-56, in Bordeaux, France.
Following his return from France, Calvin set up his dental practice on Milwaukee's north side and continued practicing until 2000. In 1957, he met Joan Landa at a YWCA winter social, and they married five months later.
Throughout his life, Calvin volunteered: Director and eventual President of the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association; served on Wisconsin's Dental Examining Board for six years; charter member, director and eventual president of the Unitarian Church West – Brookfield; served at the Rescue Mission, downtown Milwaukee; and provided dental services to indigent people in Milwaukee. He taught Sunday School and taught chess at the kids' schools and served on Dan's Boy scout troop board. In later years he volunteered with Interfaith Conference, providing support to those who were homebound. The list is too long to detail, and Calvin would not approve of the cost to do so.
Calvin was very concerned about the environment and climate change and hoped the world would wake up and realize "it's here." That was in 2017. Throughout his life he supported, and volunteered with, organizations seeking to save Earth from its inhabitants.
A memorial service will be held at Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, Hartland, WI on October 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. If attending, please wear yellow, Cal's favorite color, or green for the environment.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Union of Concerned Scientists http://www.ucs.org or WI Public Broadcasting http://www.pbswisconsin.org.