Dwight William Callaway

Dwight was born in Cincinnati, Ohio May 22, 1932 to Virginia and Henry Callaway. His brother Charles, his best friend through childhood and college, was two years older. Following the divorce of his parents, his mother married Sylvester Gordon, who Dwight considered his father. Virginia and Sylvester had a daughter, Sylvia, his sister. Dwight’s brother, parents, and stepfather preceded him in death.

As a youth Dwight was an avid reader, beginning school at the age of 5 with his Aunt Ruhema, a teacher. His aptitude for learning and reading took him to Walnut Hills Preparatory School where he graduated in 1949 and to Morehouse College where he earned a degree in Engineering in 1953. While at Morehouse, he was a proud member of the Maroon Tigers football team and became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Following his graduation from Morehouse, he returned to Cincinnati, enrolling in the graduate studies program at the University of Cincinnati. He also began courting his childhood sweetheart, Roberta Leahr.

While a graduate student at University of Cincinnati, he was a researcher, studying the impact of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Following his engagement to his wife, Roberta, he left his studies to take a job as an engineer at Baldwin Piano. It was at Baldwin that he began his innovative work in the microelectronic field, working with technology that would later become the basis of the MOOG synthesizer.

Following a stint at Electra Manufacturing in Independence, KS, Dwight found his home with General Motors Division, Delco Radio (Electronics) in Kokomo, IN. in 1964. There he continued his work with microelectronics, more specifically, semiconductors. His ground-breaking efforts included developing multiple patents that converted hundreds of transistors to a single printed circuit board. Circuit boards had previously been assembled by hand and were extremely expensive to produce. In order to make the new technology cost effective, he worked with vendors to develop customized automated machinery that revolutionized the entire semiconductor industry. The new technology eliminated heavy control systems resulting in lighter, more efficient automobiles.

He was recognized for his achievements by the National Electronic Packaging and Production Conference (NEPCON) as Engineer of the Year, and served as the first President of the International Society for Hybrid Microelectronics (ISHM, now iMaps) in 1971 and 1972. He was also honored with ISHM’s Hughes Award in 1972 in recognition of his significant contributions to the field.

Following his tenure at Delco, Dwight finished his career with AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors in Flint, MI where he was the Director of International Operations, overseeing multiple General Motors production facilities around the globe, including Luxemburg, France, South Korea, South Africa, Australia, and Mexico.

Upon retirement Dwight and Roberta moved to St. Simon’s Island, GA where he served as Jr. Warden at Christ Episcopal Church and a board member for 9 years at Golden Isles Hospice. He spent many summers at their home in Paradise Lake, Michigan teaching his grandchildren to fish, swim, and boat.

Dwight is survived by his wife of 58 years, Roberta; his children; Denise (Gary Reistad), Gordon (Kim Callaway, Crystal Callaway) and Dwight (Sharon Callaway), his sister Sylvia Rousseau; and 6 grandchildren; Maxine Behm, Gordon and Caroline Callaway, George, Kelsey and Sonja Reistad.

He will be missed by friends and family in Cincinnati, Kokomo, Michigan, St. Simon’s Island, and colleagues across the nation and around the world.

The family is grateful for the expert and compassionate care of Dr's Timothy Jamison, Abraham Cheong and Michael Butler.

The memorial service will take place at Christ Episcopal Church, St. Simon’s Island Georgia at 11:00 am on November, 30th, 2013. Interment will be at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made in Dwight's name to Hospice of the Golden Isles, Christ Episcopal Church, or Morehouse College.