Calvin William Klumb

Cal was born to Dorothy Rose (nee Nelson) and Calvin Christian Klumb on Sunday, March 5, 1939, at 10 am (naturally, as he liked to say) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was raised in Milwaukee and was known to young friends and family as "Skip." He later attended Miami University, which set the stage for finding a home and community later in life in Oxford, Ohio.

It was at Miami that Cal forged friendships and charted career paths that would forever change his life. One of those friends was Jon Spahr, a fellow freshman whom he met in the dorms and later pledged together with for Phi Kappa Tau. Jon and Cal also attended church together uptown, despite the comments on their singing from the ladies in the next row. Jon would say that Cal liked to make a joyful noise. The two fraternity brothers were indeed like brothers and always remained close friends even after graduating from Miami in 1961.

After completing his studies at Miami, Cal shocked his mother by going into the ministry instead of architecture (he also abandoned "Skip" for "Cal"). But there was no one more proud than his mother when he was ordained as a minister in September of 1964, shortly after receiving his Bachelors of Sacred Divinity (which is known today as a Masters of Divinity, or MDiv). Cal was an ordained minister for forty-three years in Ohio and Michigan. His longest pastorate was in Cincinnati at Pilgrim United Church of Christ for seventeen years. After that time, he served several UCC churches in southwest Ohio as Interim until his retirement in 2005.

Service outside of the church was a key part of Cal’s life. While serving as a pastor he also served as a board member for United Church Homes and on committees of other wider-church organizations. When he returned to the Cincinnati area as a pastor he began working with his fraternity where he served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors. After retiring he felt he could finally join a service club (without conflict of interest) and within months he was the president elect of the Oxford Kiwanis club. He remained a member of Kiwanis until his passing.

It was through his ministry with the United Church of Christ that Cal met Carol. She also worked for the UCC and after many years of speaking with him by phone for work, they finally met at a work event. Cal and Carol married on August 30, 2003; Cal's dear friend (the late) Ed Culver performed the ceremony. Carol said it was truly a blessing to be Cal's wife for twenty beautiful years. Their union was a cord of three strands (Ecclesiastes 4:12) between them and God's Church.

Cal and Carol shared their lives, love for their children, deep appreciation for their church and community, and even stock ownership in the NFL. Each had their own shares in the Green Bay Packers and would attend the annual shareholders meetings - even creating entire family vacations around the main event. Cal was a big Green Bay Packers fan but also kept a place in his heart for his alma mater. He and Carol (a former MU employee) were "faithful fans" come rain or shine for Miami athletics. Whether it was courtside for basketball games or tailgating for football on chilly fall days, Cal and Carol were there cheering on the Red Hawks.

Community was important to Cal and he and Carol deeply enjoyed what they found in Oxford. As an alumnus of MU, as a resident of his dear neighborhood, and as a parishioner of Oxford Presbyterian Church, Cal enjoyed the many blessings of his residence in Oxford. Cal leaves behind many friends, neighbors and colleagues. He also leaves behind many beloved family members whom, near or far, he has always cherished.

Cal is the beloved husband of Carol (nee Newhouse) Klumb; loving father of the late John Klumb, Aaron (Nicki) Klumb, Matt (Sandi) Klumb, and bonus dad to Caron MacPherson, Mark Gudorf and Chris Gudorf; cherished grandfather of Jessica (Andrew) Thompson, Dustin Klumb, Jonah Klumb, Sydney Klumb, Tristan Klumb, Allison (Justin) Burkholder, Kira Bush, Kloe Bush, Kane Bush, and Dax White; and dear son-in-law of Delbert Newhouse and the late Mary Ellen (nee Naylor) Newhouse.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Please stay tuned for further details and times as the summer progresses. Donations in Cal's memory may be made to Crossroads Hospice in honor of their tremendous care and compassion for Cal and his family.

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