Posted on 09/30/2018
Earle R. Callahan (February 12, 1927 - September 14, 2018)
CDR Earle R. Callahan (USN-Ret.) died on September 14, 2018, in San Diego, CA, at the age of 91. Earle was born on February 12, 1927, to Ethel and Cecil Callahan in Phoenix, AZ. Earle enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 and began his service as a radio technician. He received an appointment with the United States Naval Academy in 1947 and graduated in 1951. He started his career as a pilot at NAS Pensacola and continued to U.S. Naval Post Graduate School. Earle completed three tours during the Vietnam War. He served as a carrier squadron commander and an air group commander. After he served as CO of VS-35, he was posted as Navigator of the USS Yorktown at US Naval Base Norfolk, VA. While serving in the Navy, Earle met his lifelong love, his wife, Helen White. The couple met in Phoenix, while he was on midshipman leave, and it was love at first sight. Earle and Helen married in 1951. While stationed in Coronado, CA, he and Helen purchased their home and became proud residents of Coronado. They enjoyed fifty-three years of marriage before her passing in 2005.Earle went on to study at the Naval War College of Newport, RI, and worked on staff at the War College until he retired in 1977. While on staff, he attended Bryant College and earned a Master's in Business Administration in 1975. Earle retired from the United States Navy in 1977 after 30 years of service. After he retired, he worked at General Dynamics in production control during construction of the first three Trident submarines. Earle and Helen returned to their home in Coronado in 1978. He became a passionate and outspoken community and environmental advocate. He was interested in various artistic pursuits including cartooning and painting, and his house in Coronado was bountifully decorated with his paintings and drawings. Earle is survived by his daughter, Page; his son-in-law, Richard; his two granddaughters, Riley and Glenn; and his longtime partner Nancy Pettibone. Request for memorial donations may be made to: Hope for the Warriors. A service will take place on October 1st, at 1:00 P.M., at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in Point Loma, CA. A reception will follow.
Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Sept. 30, 2018