Died: June 6, 2006
Joe was born in in Philadelphia, the son of a doctor (Dr. Joseph R. Calder Sr.); and long before he graduated from The Haverford School and entered Yale, he had established the goal of becoming a doctor himself. His classmates and many friends at Yale never doubted that he would achieve that goal and become an exceptional and caring physician; Joe was remarkably thoughtful, reflective, serious, hard-working and friendly, and particularly fair-minded and considerate of others. Whenever he engaged in a discussion, he did so with the singular objective of gaining a better understanding of the topic, rather than seeking to persuade or impress anyone with respect to his own views.
After majoring in psychology at Yale and graduating in 1966, Joe attended the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, graduating in 1970. He then fulfilled his residency training, in internal medicine, at the University of Iowa Hospital, where he received the Resident of the Year award from his fellow residents. Following his residency in Iowa, Joe was admitted to Duke University on a cardiology fellowship, which he completed in 1975. While at Duke, Joe met and married Stephanie Tieber, a University of Nevada graduate from Reno, NV.
Joe and Stephanie then moved to Williamsport, PA at the invitation of the Williamsport Hospital, where Joe served as the physician-founder of advanced cardiac services in Williamsport, and Stephanie worked alongside Joe as a cardiac nurse specialist. Joe’s efforts in establishing cardiac catheterization and echocardiograph services there led to the recruitment of other cardiologists and ultimately the cardiac surgery program in Williamsport. Joe’s 31 year career there was characterized by a fierce dedication to the highest quality medical care and by a selfless devotion to his patients and co-workers. Joe was also a consummate teacher, mentor, and coach; and in 1990 he was awarded the Teacher of the Year award by the residents in training in the Family Medicine Residency training program of the Williamsport hospital. In 1997 he received the American Heart Association’s Heart of a Champion Award. In 2015, the Williamsport hospital posthumously awarded Joe its Lifetime Achievement Award, which Stephanie accepted on Joe’s behalf.
In addition to being the consummate physician, Joe loved sports, and Stephanie and he shared a special passion for tennis and skiing.
Joe died at home on June 6, 2006 after a 10-year battle with thyroid cancer. He was 61 years of age. He is survived by his widow Stephanie and their three children Eric, Beth, and his youngest daughter Melissa, who was born on Joe’s birthday and is currently completing a fellowship in pulmonary medicine.
A scholarship fund has been established in Joe’s memory to assist young people in the communities he served to pursue careers in medicine, whether as doctors, nurses, or nurses aides:
The Joseph R. Calder, Jr. MD Scholarship Fund
c/o The First Community Foundation Partnership
330 Pine Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
www.fcfpartnership.org
1-866-901-2372
John West remembers:
How very well I remember Joe, with whom I graduated from Haverford School, Yale, and subsequently University of Pennsylvania Medical School (and roomed with him there!!); he was a hard-working devoted cardiologist.