Obituary of Robert Dale Caliva

Robert "Bob" Dale Caliva was born May 1, 1930, to Mariano "Marty" T. and Florence E. Gullerkseen Caliva in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was 94 years old when he passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Bob always talked about wanting to live until he was 100 years old. Although he was just a few years shy, he sure tried hard to make it. 

His mother died at an early age, leaving Bob to help his dad Marty care for his siblings. He was the oldest of five children; two brothers and two sisters, who all predeceased him. Bob didn't finish high school, but later in life he was able to obtain his GED, which he was very proud of.

He had a very long career in the US Army, 20 plus years, in which he loved being in the service and serving his country. He was proud to be a "service man". 

In the 1960's Bob was stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX. That is where he met his future wife Carmen Pedregon, at a dance on the base. When he met Carmen, she had five children already, Arthur "Bronson”, Pete, Carmen "Lettie", Rosie and Sergio "Serge" Reyes. They were married June 6, 1964, and lived in El Paso, for a few years until he was transferred to the Northeast. Out of their marriage, they had Robert "Robs" Jr. Caliva. He tried to be the best father he knew how to be to Carmen's five children and Robert Jr.  Because he was in the service they traveled to many places in the United States, and finally retired making Salina, KS their home.  Bob and Carmen moved to Albuquerque, NM, later in life to be close to their four sons and Bob's father "Marty" who was in a nursing home. Bob and Carmen eventually moved to Sand Springs, OK on December 1, 2006, to be close to their daughter Lettie, who helped Bob care for Carmen until she passed away in October 2018. Bob was very proud of his six children, his eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. 

Bob loved sports, especially football. He could not wait until the season started. He loved anything Wisconsin, the weather warm or cold, and the Green Bay Packers were his team (a diehard cheese head, he wore the hat proudly). He made sure to watch his team anytime they played, he was an avid fan and had much Green Bay Packer memorabilia.  He also loved watching the University of Wisconsin play any kind of ball. Additionally, golf was his second favorite sport to watch. But you could find him on weekends watching some kind of sport on TV. He did get to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics and marveled at the gymnasts. He also loved watching old western movies, MASH and MeTV, along with Mexican and Chinese food. 

Bob moved into Burgundy Place March 1, 2023, an independent living facility in Tulsa, OK. He really enjoyed his apartment there and all the people he got acquainted with. He made many friends and felt it was his community. In April of 2023, he got really sick and had to be admitted to the hospital. Through 2023 there were three other subsequent hospital stays and two skilled rehab stays, but Bob made it through all those hurdles, and finally came back to Burgundy in late July of 2023. With the help of his family and many caregivers, he was able to start using his walker and using his wheelchair. He thrived until June 2024 until he and his family received the news that he had lung cancer, and it had advanced to the lymph nodes. He advised his family that he did not want treatment, that he wanted nature to take its course. He added that the good Lord would come and get him when He was ready, and that time came on Wednesday, July 31st. His daughter Carmen and son-in-law Mike were with him when he took his last breath. He is now with his Lord and Savior and his wife Carmen, who predeceased him, in October 2018. 

The family would like to thank all the caregivers who helped take care of Bob while at Burgundy Place and for all the prayers, cards, telephone calls and acts of kindness during their loss.  Thank You! 

Instead of flowers, please donate to Salina, KS VFW.