Carey Wilds Kaltenbach, 78, of Simi Valley, CA, went to be with the Lord on July 20, 2022.
Carey was born on August 17, 1943, to Bill and Ruth Kaltenbach in Mullinville, KS. After graduating from Mullinville High School in 1961, Carey earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Emporia State University in Emporia, KS. He was also ABD in 2 Ph.D. programs at the University of Missouri- Columbia, where he was also a Teaching Assistant and taught some classes.
For many years, he served as a professor at Emporia State University and then at Stephens College in Columbia, MO, teaching English, Rhetoric, Philosophy, and Law. He was well-loved by students, as many found his classes to be challenging and rewarding. It was common for his students to remain in contact with him long after their graduation. Following an accomplished career in education, he worked as Vice-President for Fund Development at ARCHS in St. Louis, MO; Director of Grants at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, MO; and Grant Administrator for various departments within the State of Missouri in Jefferson City, MO. Carey also regularly consulted with organizations and schools on grant writing and research related to grant writing.
While teaching in Emporia, Carey married Mary Lou Carpenter of Seneca, KS. During the couple’s marriage, they had one child, Caleb Wilds Kaltenbach. After the couple divorced, Carey was granted custody of their son (though Caleb did regularly stay with his mom and her life partner, Vera Elleson).
Wanting to be closer to his son's family after his 2012 retirement, Carey eventually relocated to Frisco, TX, and later, to Simi Valley.
Faith in Jesus Christ was a significant aspect of Carey’s life. He attended Episcopal churches in Columbia, MO, and Bolivar, MO, where he served on the church board. After moving to Texas, he joined Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, TX. Carey was also a connoisseur of classical music, musicals, medieval literature, mystery novels, chocolate chip cookies, and Diet Coke. Like his father, Carey had a profound appreciation for the opera. An author of several journal articles, he loved writing whenever the opportunity arose. When Carey wasn’t reading or writing, he could be found in movie theaters or watching sitcoms, action movies, mysteries, and other shows. He deeply loved his family and friends, as evident in the birthday and Christmas cards, letters, and gifts he routinely sent out.
Carey was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ruth; brother, Phillip; and nephew, Jared. He is survived by his son, Caleb; daughter-in-law, Amy; grandchildren, Joel and Rachel Kaltenbach; brothers, Mark and Mike; sisters-in-law, Mary and Tamera; nieces and nephews, Staci, Traci, Craig, Erin, Kyle, Dylan, and Garrett; former wife, Mary Lou (Carpenter) Kaltenbach; and many cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, and friends.
He was laid to rest on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Hillcrest Cemetery in Mullinville, KS.
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