Robert Bernard Caldwell

Robert Caldwell Obituary Robert Bernard Caldwell (Bob) of Beachwood, Ohio was born on November 19, 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the first of eight children of the late Leonard and Altha Caldwell. Bernard, as his family called him, was raised in a loving Christian home. Being ambitious and the oldest child, he worked several jobs and contributed to the support of his younger siblings. He remained close with his siblings and they recently recalled how they don’t remember fighting or being angry with one another. In his early years, he attended Cory Methodist Church with his family. As a teenager, he would meet his friends at Shautter Drug Store on E. 93rd and Cedar Avenue to attend Antioch Baptist Church. Among those friends were the late Carl Character, who eventually became Judge Character, and Phil Cloud, who later became the owner of Cloud's Florist. It was at Antioch that Bernard gave his life to Christ and was baptized by the late Rev. McKinney. Later Bernard again joined his parents and siblings at Cory Methodist Church. Bernard was educated in the Cleveland Public School System. He attended Quincy and John Burroughs elementary schools until he was placed in major work at Harvey Rice. He recalled he and his cousin being the only two Blacks in the class. He attended Alexander Hamilton Junior High School and graduated from Glenville High School in 1950. Following graduation, Bernard attended Cleveland College of Western Reserve and majored in chemistry and took a job at Parker Rustproofing as a quality control manager in their chemistry lab. While in college, he met the love of his life, Martha Mathews. They dated for a year and in 1953, were united in holy matrimony at Cory Methodist Church. The marriage was blessed with two children, Gary and Lolita. Bernard and Martha purchased their first home in the Glenville neighborhood and together they joined the Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church. By 1961, they moved their young family to the Lee-Harvard area and sought 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 called by church members) served on the Usher Board, the Membership Involvement Committee, the Board of Trustees and twice served as Men’s Day chairperson. In a 1971 Cleveland Press interview, he claimed his career in the pest control industry was somewhat of an accident. In 1958, he was an unhappy research chemist at Crobaugh Laboratories “with nowhere to go.” Like many other blacks in relatively good positions, he dreamed of a business of his own, but found research chemistry too costly to contemplate. So, he switched to pest control working for 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. They were pioneers as one of the first black pest control companies in Ohio. He recalled how white customers would often call for service and dared to ask that they not send anyone black 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 followed him around their house as he dispensed his prevention work. Ultimately, with his great disposition and excellent service, Acme developed a highly diverse client base. Over the past six decades, 3 generations have worked in the business, 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 various professional organizations and a chemical supplier recently summed up his impact, “Mr. Caldwell is a LEGEND in the Ohio pest control industry and will surely be missed.” An advocate for black business advancement, he was an active member of the Lee Harvard Business Association and the Cleveland Business League. A National Business League conference Caldwell co-chaired in the early 1980’s drew such luminaries to Cleveland as the late Judge Benjamin Hooks, NAACP President, and late Vernon Jordan, president of the National Urban League. He served on several boards including the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland and the First Bank National, Cleveland’s first black bank founded by the late John Bustamante. 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 D.C. and for his 91st birthday, took a memorable trip to the museum with his daughter’s family. Bernard enjoyed relaxing while listening to jazz. Both 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 came from 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’s 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 one of Cleveland’s oldest black social clubs, the Reynards and 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. According to Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” An inheritance not limited to money includes godly character qualities like integrity and trustworthiness. In 2021, Bernard lost the love of his life, Martha, after 67 years of marriage. In 2022, while in the hospital for over a week, he had what his family witnessed as ‘out of body’ experiences. When Bernard recovered and returned home, he was asked if he recalled his experience. In detail, he described his experience as being in another world with Martha and others who had passed on before him. Bernard described it as being a place of perfect peace. He and Martha were young again and he could walk and dance without the use of his cane or walker. He said Martha wanted him to stay, but he felt he needed to return to this world to handle some unfinished business. Bernard was blessed to finish his business, and on June 19, 2023, he made the decision to discontinue his dialysis treatments and medication. In his words, “Life has not been a waste of time, the time was well spent. I’m looking forward to being in a perfect place and having perfect health and perfect peace forever”. 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 transitioned to his heavenly home on July 22nd. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents and his loving and devoted wife, 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; 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. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Bernard Caldwell, please visit our floral store. Read More

Robert Bernard Caldwell

November 19, 1931 - July 22, 2023