David P. Calvert

David P. Calvert
June 30, 2023
Wichita, Kansas - David P. Calvert, 81, passed away Friday, June 30, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, C.R. Calvert, Jr. and Virginia Calvert, his brother, C.R. "Bud" Calvert, III, and his infant sister, Mary Ann. He is survived by his wife, Gail Calvert; his children and stepchildren, John Calvert (Teresa), Mark Calvert (Sarah Schäfer), Erin Williams (Neal), Jon-Michael Travis, and Keith Travis; his siblings Johanna Tayrien and Cristina Calvert Clements; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
David leaves a legacy of devoted and loving husband, father, stepfather, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was famous for giving grandkids (and earlier, his children) rides in his wheelchair, "popping wheelies." The kids' reactions were always the same: a combination of thrill, terror, and excitement! As husband and partner to Gail, he demonstrated the qualities to emulate in a marriage: love, kindness, compassion, and true friendship. They loved each other completely and unconditionally. As a father, David taught his children to live their lives with integrity, to act with mercy towards others, and to speak up for those being mistreated. He instilled in them a deep conviction of perseverance and persistence ("The words, 'I Can't' do not exist."). As a sibling, he was a friend, rock, and protector. His sense of humor made many people laugh, and often embarrassed his children, particularly when they were younger, but also sometimes when they were adults.
David lived a life of service as Assistant County Attorney, District Judge, and attorney, where he was an indefatigable champion for people with disabilities and countless others with few resources to be treated justly. He was a loyal ally and friend, fierce adversary, and treated everyone fairly, with compassion, and with an unwavering compass of right and wrong. David served and chaired multiple legal and charitable boards, leaning into his exceptional ability to bring people together, find common ground, and make positive changes. He was particularly fulfilled of the 27 years he served on the Board of Directors with the Independent Living Resource Center.
David began his legal career in the Sedgwick County Attorney's Office as an Assistant County Attorney during the 1960s, where he founded the Consumer Protection Division. In 1972, he was elected as Sedgwick County District Court Judge where he served unopposed until 1984, when he left the bench. He was widely regarded as an exceptional judge and never faced opposition during all his years on the bench, earning him the award of Judge of the Year in 1974. At the time of his election, he was the youngest person ever to be elected as District Judge.
After leaving the bench in 1984, David went into private practice where he was a partner with Curfman & Harris, and later with his former County Attorney friends at Focht, Hughey, Hund & Calvert. As he ventured into solo practice during the mid-1990s, David quickly became an expert on disability rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), of which he was widely regarded as the authority figure until his passing. He was a rarity, however: instead of working for pure financial gain, David advocated to solve problems, work with landowners to fix issues, and make the community more accessible one ramp, handicapped parking spot, and curb cut at a time.
Born and raised in Winfield, Kansas, David contracted polio at aged 10 and spent 9 months recuperating in Warm Springs, Georgia. He remained in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Not once did he complain about his "disability." In fact, he regarded it as no disability at all and as the best thing that ever happened to him. "Person first; disability second," he would say.
Above all, David lived his life quietly practicing his faith in God through service to – and for - others. Micah 6:7-8 describes his life perfectly: "He told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?"
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Independent Living Resource Center, 3033 W. 2nd St. N., Wichita, KS 67203.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Hillside Christian Church, followed by a brief lunch and a 1:30 pm burial at Resurrection Cemetery.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com