William Kalberer Sr.

Lt. Colonel William A. Kalberer Sr. USAF (Retired) passed away on Friday, March 11, 2016. He was born in Mandan, ND and was the son of the late, Jacob and Claudia (Grunenfelder) Kalberer. He graduated from Mandan High School and joined the United States Navy in January 1945. At the end of World War II he received an honorable discharge and went to college at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Geology. William was part of the Air Force ROTC program at the University. He received his commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force Reserve and in January 1951 went on active duty at Perrin AFB, TX. Subsequently, he was sent to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for meteorological training. He spent his entire career as a Meteorologist providing weather support services to flying and ground forces throughout the world. During his career in the Air Force he received two Commendation Medals and two Meritorious Service Awards. He retired from the Air Force after 28 years of service. After retiring from the Air Force, William went to work for the Office of Emergency Services, Commonwealth of Virginia for 10 years and transferred to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for an additional six years as a flood plain management specialist. Both state organizations worked under a contract basis with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. After state retirement, William worked for two years as a FEMA reservist working on Presidential Disaster Declarations. He was a member and past President of the Optimist Club; a member of the American Legion and the Retired Officers Association. He helped organize and was the first President of the Tri-Cities USA Dance Chapter. William was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir. He served on various committees and was a member of the Sojourners Sunday School Class. Mr. Kalberer is survived by his loving wife, Carol M. Kalberer; two sons, William Kalberer and wife, Kathryn of Houston, TX and James Kalberer and wife, Cynthia of Keller, TX; one daughter, Susan Cox and husband, James of Richmond, VA; six grandchildren, Lindsay, Courtney and Kelsey Kalberer, Jacob Kalberer and Michael and Kurtis Cox; a sister, Sonja McKinnon of Austin, TX; and a sister-in-law, Jane Murff and husband, John of Ossining, NY. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is being served by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com