Businessman, stalwart layman, devoted patriarch
November 19, 1931 - July 22, 2023
Family, church, and work were the tripartite lodestar of Bob Caldwell’s long life.
Born Robert Bernard Caldwell on November 19, 1931, in Cleveland, he was the first of eight children of the late Leonard and Altha Caldwell.
The ambitious eldest, known at home as Bernard, worked several jobs, contributing to the support of his younger siblings. Bernard remained close with his siblings throughout his life. Several of them said recently they could not remember ever fighting or being angry with one another in what they detailed as a loving Christian home.
The family attended Cory Methodist Church together in his early years. As a teenager, he would meet his friends at Shauter Drug Store 9208 Cedar Ave to attend Antioch Baptist Church. Among those friends were the late Carl Character, who went on to become a leading local attorney and eventually a county judge, and Phil Cloud, who later became the owner of Cloud's Florist. Antioch was where Bernard was baptized by the late Rev. McKinney and committed his life to Christ. Later Bernard again joined his parents and siblings at Cory Methodist Church.
Bernard attended Quincy and John Burroughs elementary schools until he was placed in the major work program for outstanding students at Harvey Rice. As he recalled he and his cousin were the only two black students in their class. He graduated from Glenville High School in 1950. He then entered Cleveland College of Western Reserve where he majored in chemistry. His first job after college was at Parker Rustproofing where he was a quality control manager in the chemistry lab.
While in college, he met Martha Mathews, and she became the love of his life. After dating for a year, they married at Cory Methodist. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Gary and Lolita. The couple started and ran a business together, Acme Exterminating, that is now a second generation company closing in on sixty years of continuous operation.
The couple bought their first home in the Glenville neighborhood and moved their church affiliation a block south, joining Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church. By 1961, they moved their young family to the Lee-Harvard area. Seeking a church home in their new neighborhood, they joined Lee Road Baptist Church where they met some of their closest friends and remained faithful members until their passing. Bob, as he was being called at this point, served on the church’s usher board, the membership involvement committee, and the board of trustees. He also twice served as Men’s Day chairperson.
Four generations of Caldwell men
In a 1971 Cleveland Press interview, Caldwell described his entry into the pest control industry as somewhat of an accident. In 1958, he was an unhappy research chemist at Crobaugh Laboratories “with nowhere to go.” He was a fortunate black man with a relatively good job but he longed for a business of his own. Research chemistry was too costly to contemplate so he switched to pest control, starting out as an employee Central Exterminating Company. He remained there until 1964, when he and Martha started Acme Exterminating Company. They were true partners in business for over 50 years — Martha ran the office while Bernard oversaw the field operations — pioneers as one of the first black pest control companies in Ohio.
Early on white customers often called for service and request that no black technician be sent to their home, not realizing Acme was black owned. Caldwell would say that after the initial shock of seeing him wore off, the customers would accept the service, but occasionally follow him around their house as he dispensed his prevention work. Ultimately, his genuine and engaging demeanor, coupled with superior service, enabled Acme to develop a diverse and profitable client base.
Three generations have worked in the business over the past six decades, including Caldwell’s son Gary who has served in multiple roles including technical lead, trainer and general manager. Acme continues its rich tradition under the new leadership of Caldwell’s daughter Lolita and her husband, Erwin.
Bob, as he was known professionally, was well respected by other pest control professionals and recognized for his leadership in the industry. He served as the Charter President of Cleveland Pest Control Association, and President of the Ohio Pest Control Association and Pi Chi Omega, the fraternal organization dedicated to furthering the science of pest control. He also served on advisory boards to the National Pest Control Association. His long-time commitment to the pest control industry was recognized by several professional organizations.
An advocate for black business advancement, he was an active member of the Lee Harvard Business Association and the Cleveland Business League. The National Business League conference Caldwell co-chaired in the early 1980s drew such national luminaries to Cleveland as the late Judge Benjamin Hooks, then-NAACP President, and the late Vernon Jordan, then-president of the National Urban League.
Caldwell served on several boards including the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland and First Bank National, a black bank founded in the 1970s. He was a charter member of the First Club of Cleveland, Cleveland’s first black-owned golf course founded by the late Judge George W. White. He regularly contributed to the African American Museum in Washington DC, and for his 91st birthday, took a memorable trip to the museum with his daughter’s family.
Caldwell enjoyed relaxing while listening to jazz. He and Martha enjoyed family gatherings, socializing and dancing. The two had a full social life, often attending two parties over a holiday weekend. Bernard’s a family that had large holiday gatherings and family reunions. For many years, he helped organize the local and national family reunions. He and Martha never missed any Barnes, Holt, Hambrick, and Jinks (BHHJ) national reunions. This year, the family will celebrate its 141st reunion!
Bernard and Martha were founding members of the Wi-Hubs couples club. They were avid travelers and enjoyed traveling with groups of family and friends. The Philippines, Japan, Caribbean Islands, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Hawaii were among their favorite trips. He was also a member of the Reynards, one of Cleveland’s oldest black social clubs, as well as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Bernard was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren, and was committed to their success, both professionally and spiritually. He often spoke of their accomplishments and the family having God’s inheritance. When citing Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” he was referencing character and spirit as much or more than material.
In 2021, Bernard lost the love of his life, Martha, after 67 years of marriage.
On June 19, 2023, he made the decision to discontinue his dialysis treatments and medication. After weeks of receiving visits from family and friends, and numerous “excursions” to the lake with his children, grandchildren, sisters and devoted aides/friends, Sunny and Yvonne, Bernard died on July 22.
Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Martha; and three siblings, Eleanor Curry (Monroe), Georgene Kisner (Samuel), and Robert Leonard. He leaves to cherish his memory, children Gary Caldwell and Lolita Hines (Erwin); six grandchildren, Jeremy Caldwell (Mayzaron), Jonathan Caldwell (Melinda), Emily Wulu (Aaron), Gabrielle Aryeetey (Peace-Love), Erwin Hines and Taylor Hines; 11 great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Santiana, December, Donald Jr., Eva, Sophia, Kimber, Shiah, Gianna, Olivia and Eliana; cherished daughter-in-law, Joy Caldwell; sisters, Gloria Haynes, Shirley Taylor, Janice Haynes (Melvin) Debra Williams (Gus); his loving and devoted aide of more than 2 years, Sunnethia Graham, his trainer and aide, Yvonne Joiner; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will receive friends and well-wishers on Friday, August 11, from 3-7p at E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home and Crematory, 2165 East 89 St. [44106]
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11a at Lee Road Baptist Church, 3970 Lee Rd. [44120]. A one-hour wake will precede the service.
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