William E. Caldes ’44

A resident of Tijeras, N.M., Bill Caldes died Aug. 25, 2009, at the age of 87.  

Bill came to us from Hun and roomed initially on Nassau Street. He left in 1943 to work on the Manhattan Project, becoming the 19th project member on the “Hill” at Los Alamos, N.M. After witnessing the first atomic bomb test at the Trinity site, Bill and his wife, Margaret, moved to Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, and he stayed with the laboratories for 40 years until his retirement in 1983.

Bill had a strong interest in photography and also engaged in camping and fishing. He and Margaret enjoyed retirement by traveling the world extensively.  

Bill is survived by Margaret, his wife of 67 years; five children; nine grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. His son, Chris, emphasizes that Bill’s advice, guidance, and jokes will be missed by his devoted family.