The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Born - December 5, 1930, Big Sandy, MT

Died - August 11, 2017, Lynnwood, WA

Calvin, and his twin brother Kenneth, were born on December 5, 1930 in Big Sandy, Montana. They were the youngest of 9 children born to Jennie and Benjamin Reichelt. Calvin graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1948. In 1951 he left the family farm in Montana and joined the US Army. After completing boot camp at Camp Roberts, California, Calvin was off to Korea where he worked as a radio operator during the Korean War. After returning to Montana, he attended college on a baseball scholarship at Montana State University in Bozeman, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering. Calvin also played semi-pro baseball for East Helena.

Calvin married Georgia Schlack on September 15, 1957 at the Methodist church in Big Sandy, Montana. In 1959, Calvin and Georgia moved to Seattle, Washington where he worked as an architect for the US Navy. On December 7, 1959 Calvin and Georgia welcomed their twins Kurt and Karen. On August 3, 1961, their small family welcomed their youngest daughter, Marcy. Calvin continued his government career working as an architect for the US Coast Guard, where he retired in 1989.

The Reichelt family enjoyed lots of camping and their annual family trip to Montana. Calvin was an avid fisherman and took many hunting trips to Eastern Washington and Montana with his buddies. After Calvin's retirement, he and Georgia enjoyed time with their grandchildren, camping, traveling and watching the Seattle Mariner games together.

Calvin was preceded in death by his mother Jennie (Larson) Reichelt, father Benjamin Reichelt, brothers Maurice, Raymond, Donald, Clyde, Hubert, Eugene, Kenneth, sister Mardella (Reichelt) Jordan, son-in-law Kevin Elert and granddaughter Katie Emery.

Calvin is survived by his wife Georgia Reichelt, son Kurt Reichelt (Heidi), daughters Karen Emery (Mark) and Marcy Elert. He is also survived by his grandchildren Chris Reichelt, Ashley Donkin (JP), Jordan Reichelt (Michelle), Meghan Emery-Johnstone (Sean), Alex Elert and great granddaughter Adiaha Donkin.

Calvin was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His life will be celebrated on August 27, 2017 at 10:00AM at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036.

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