George L. Caldwell ’55

The son of William W. Caldwell, George was born Feb. 3, 1933, in New York City.

At Princeton, George majored in history and joined Ivy. He roomed at 2-A Holder with R. Stinson, R. Russell, S. Boyd, M. Bryan, G. Gray, F. Schoettle, J. Quarles, W. Brown, and J. Griffin.

From a young boy who fed lettuce to manatees and discovered Indian artifacts, George grew up to be a respected gentleman who loved Fort Lauderdale and was deeply involved in his community. After two years in the Navy, he joined his father’s construction company, becoming president in 1965 and running it until his retirement in 1996.

In 1967, George was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served until 1972. After his father’s death, George moved from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale to run the construction company, building Burdines, Pine Crest School, the Church-by-the-Sea, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. “His was the only construction company in town; he built everything,” said Emilie Shaw, widow of former U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw. In 1994 and 1996, Mr. Caldwell was chairman of Shaw’s re-election campaigns.

George also served on the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and the boards of Gulfstream Land Development, Bonnet House, and the historic Stranahan House.  

His wife, Jean, died in 2002. George died March 3, 2014, at his Fort Lauderdale home from complications of a stroke. To his children, Elizabeth, George Jr. ’84, and Alexandra, and nine grandchildren, the class sends sympathy.