Richard Darby Caldwell

Richard was born in Dallas, Texas, on December 11, 1942, to Richard Hanner Caldwell and Thelma Darby Caldwell.

During the height of the polio epidemic, Richard contracted the disease at age 6. He missed all of his first grade year of school, and was confined to an iron lung for most of that year. Once it was determined that he was not contagious, he returned to his family and restarted school. The doctors said he would never walk, but despite that prognosis, Richard’s determination enabled him to walk for many years.

He graduated from Kimball High School in 1961 and the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 with a degree in English and Journalism.

Richard met his wife, Nancy Ann Specht, on a blind date and they were married three months later on April 11, 1970. They welcomed their first child Suzanna Venice on June 24, 1972 and their second child Nancy Rosanna on September 22, 1973. They lived in Woodville, TX for several years before returning to Dallas.

Richard began his career at DAC in Dallas as a public relations journalist and continued his career at the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe near Woodville. Upon returning to Dallas, he and Nancy started their own photography business, Caldwell Photography. They continued their small business for 15 years. Richard and Nancy decided to change their career paths by pursuing Master’s degrees in Library Science. Richard worked as a librarian and computer science teacher for several years before retiring.

Richard will be remembered for his love of collecting, finding deals, computers/Atari, all of his dogs, and his family.

Richard is survived by his devoted wife Nancy Specht Caldwell, daughters Suzanna Caldwell-Bare and husband Michael Bare and Rosanna Ratliff and husband Steven Ratliff; grandchildren Lydia Bare, Beatrix Ratliff, Emerson Bare and Twila Sue Ratliff; brother Charles Brice; nephew Bill Brice Jr. and family, nieces Julie Brice Beiersdorf and family, Carol Brice and husband, and Susan Brice and family; as well as father-in-law Melvin Specht and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thelma Darby Caldwell and Richard Hanner Caldwell, brother Bill Brice, Sr., mother-in-law Maxie Specht, along with sisters-in-law Sally Brice and Betty Brice.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midway Hills Christian Church, 11001 Midway Rd, Dallas, TX 75229.