Name: Visitation for Craig Kallendorf
Start: 2023-02-03T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Callaway-Jones Funeral Home & Crematory - Bryan

Craig Kallendorf

June 23, 1954 - January 31, 2023

On January 31, 2023, Craig Kallendorf, Professor of English and Classics at Texas A&M, passed away from brain cancer at the age of 68.

Born June 23, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he received his BA in English and Classics from Valparaiso University and his MA and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of North Carolina. He joined the faculty at Texas A&M in 1982, and served as interim head of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages from 2001 to 2004. The author or editor of 24 books and 175 articles, book chapters, and reference book entries, Craig received the Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award in both teaching (1999) and research (2010). A two-volume collection of essays by colleagues from around the world was published in 2019 in recognition of his work.

In his work and in his life, Craig devoted himself to the values that mattered to him. His professional passion was to bring back to life and nurture our connections to the past, by teaching the languages of antiquity and studying books from the Renaissance that preserve the classical tradition. His favorite author was the Roman poet Virgil because his poetry explores so well what it means to be human - to work for a worthy goal, to fail, and to get up and try again. These values complemented what he believed in, that by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone, we can always rejoice even amid our sorrows (2 Cor 6:10).

Work, though, took second place to his family, as they know. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Hazel Kallendorf. His marriage ended in separation, but he leaves behind his children, Trevor and his friend, Autumn Green and Barrett; his sister, Camille Rechel and her husband, Mike and their sons, Christopher and Matthew; and close family friend Laci, Jordan and Clifton and Calvin Conway. Craig is grateful to the many friends, especially, Hilaire Kallendorf, who helped in different ways while he was battling cancer.

A visitation will be held February 3, from 4-6 p.m., at Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Center. Funeral services will be held at Grace Bible Church Anderson Campus February 4, at 11 a.m., with interment for family only afterward. Memorials may be made to Grace Bible Church, The Christian Faculty Network at Texas A&M, or the charity of your choice.

Express condolences at CallawayJones.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Bryan-College Station Eagle on Feb. 2, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Craig Kallendorf

Sponsored by Callaway-Jones Funeral Home & Crematory - Bryan.

15 Entries

James W.Jasper

May 16, 2025

blessings o peace- HAIL SINFONIA

Larry Hanus

April 18, 2025

Dr. Kallendorf was my Latin instructor in the Spring of 1990. It was one of the most enjoyable classes I´ve ever taken. Dr. Kallendorf was a wonderful professor, and I still have the Latin textbook from his course. I was thinking about Dr. Kallendorf today, and so looked him up and was very saddened to find out he passed away over two years ago.

Eternal rest grant unto Craig, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Dorcas Schroeder

February 24, 2023

Professor Kallendorf was always pleasant when I assisted him in the TAMU Libraries. He will be missed but we will meet again.

Lauren Head, `24

February 20, 2023

Dr. Kallendorf was one of my first professors at A&M and always stood out to me for his genuine kindness and encouraging spirit. He worked to know and support his students as individuals and continually sought to help us improve. I was able to grow in my own faith in Christ through his instruction, and I will forever be grateful for his encouragement as I sought to become bolder in the way I lived it out. He will be remembered and greatly missed.

Antonia Viscusi

February 11, 2023

I will always be grateful to Professor Craig Kallendorf for the trust he placed in me: together with his friend Professor Giancarlo Abbamonte, he inspired my work when I was a student in Naples.
His works and his kindness will continue to be an inspiration for all.

Theresa Morrison

February 9, 2023

So sorry for you loss. May his memories live forever in your hearts.

Best, Theresa A. Morrison, HR Manager, Hub 4, Texas A&M University.

Susanna Braund

February 7, 2023

My deepest sympathies to Craig's family. I write from Canada where I am a recently retired Latin professor. I want to pay tribute to Craig's generosity as a scholar. I met Craig at conferences on classical and renaissance studies over the years and he attended a conference in Vancouver in 2012 that I organized. He gave me immense help over the years in developing my project on the translation history of his favorite poet Virgil. I always felt that this was a book he would have been better fitted to write, and I told him so, but he replied that he wanted me to write it. I remember especially the conference in Naples in the summer of 2014 where he helped me shape the book. I am sorry he will not see it when it is published later this year but happy that he read the portions that most interested him. What an amazing scholar! And an amazing human being. He was devoted to his family as well as to his students and his studies. He will be greatly missed.

Valeria Fontanella

February 7, 2023

Professor Kallendorf's work will continue to be an inspiration for scholars and I was very lucky to collaborate with him. On this sad occasion, I would like to recall above all his supportive attitude toward young scholars, the enthusiasm he had for our studies, and, above all, his kindness, which will be deeply missed. His trust and commitment inspired my work no less than his brilliant works.

Owen Stroud '15

February 5, 2023

Dr. Kallendorf was my favorite professor I had at A&M, and certainly the one with whom I had the most interaction in the classroom. He was helpful, encouraging, and had a wonderful sense of humor. I fondly remember the times he would be doubled over laughing with us at some overly poetic translation or an especially terrible pun. As a teacher now myself, I think of Dr. Kallendorf every time there is a moment of levity in the classroom brought about by the joy of shared learning. Thank you, Dr. Kallendorf.

Domenico Graziano

February 4, 2023

While Professor Kallendorf's work will continue to be an inspiration for many scholars around the world, what I will hold dearest is the memory of his enthusiasm and the generosity he displayed supporting students and young researchers. I am deeply grateful that I had the chance to meet him and that he, together with his friend and colleague Professor Giancarlo Abbamonte, believed in me and my studies.
May his loved ones find solace and strenght in his memory.
Sit illi terra levis.

Larry Mitchell

February 3, 2023

I will always remember Craig as a fine colleague and scholar with a good sense of humor. We shared an interest in book history. I will miss him!

Eternal Affection Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Bluebonnet Hospice

Sent Flowers

Adrianna Drake '18

February 2, 2023

Dr. Kallendorf was one of my favorite professors during my time at A&M. I always wanted to be in one of his classes and was so lucky during my very last semester. He was so genuine and helpful. I struggled with the particular course but he was non-judgmental and really focused on making sure we all succeeded without handing out easy A's. I learned more from one semester with him that I had in years of studying Classics, and it's all because of not only his approach to teaching, but because he so obviously genuinely cared. He will be greatly missed.