Callen ‘Cal’ K. Northam

Callen K. Northam died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 13, 2017, while visiting Texas. He was born in Chicago, the only child of Harry and Jean Northam.

Cal spent his childhood growing up in Chicago and spent a great deal of time working on a farm near Michigan City, Indiana, owned by his grandparents. He graduated from Luther High School, then proceeded on to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He was active in the Delta Chi fraternity while getting a bachelor's degree in political science. He met the love of his life, Judy Brown of Schaller, Iowa, on a blind date, and were soon to be inseparable. He proposed to her under the campanile on the Iowa State campus and were married in 1963.

After graduating from Iowa State in 1964, Cal joined Montgomery Ward's managerial program and made a number of stops at various Wards' retail stores throughout the Midwest over the next 14 years. These stops include Burlington, Iowa; Beatrice, Nebraska; Grand Island, Nebraska; Keokuk, Iowa; Newton, Kansas; Iowa City, Iowa; and finally Billings, where he managed the opening of the new store in the recently constructed Rimrock Mall.

Cal left Wards in 1978 to join a short-lived catalog showroom called Flagg's Distributing before entering the banking industry when he joined First Bank, first in Billings, and then for a short time in Bozeman. He was a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. In the late 1980s, he made another career change by joining St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. Cal remained in the healthcare administration field for over two decades, both in Billings and for the final seven years at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho. During this period, he obtained a master's degree in hospital administration from the University of Colorado-Denver.

In 2010, Cal once again found himself at a career crossroads. Never being the retiring type, he changed careers again by becoming a REALTOR with what is now Berkshire Hathaway. He enjoyed helping people buy and sell their homes and businesses and recently joined Keller Williams Premier Brokers to continue this endeavor along with mentoring younger agents in this same effort.

While his work was an important part of his life, his family and friends always took precedence. He coached Little League baseball and softball teams, assisted his children with improvements to their homes and was generous with his time when someone needed assistance with a problem. He enjoyed golfing and working in his garage shop. He read a great deal when he had the chance, and was a compulsive list maker, regardless of the tasks. Cal loved to travel with Judy and enjoyed learning about wine. He was a friendly man who enjoyed conversing with people of all walks of life and was always ready with a story.

Cal was also active in the community. He was involved with a number of charities and foundations in various capacities, including the Yellowstone Art Museum, the United Way, the Boys & Girls Club Endowment Foundation, Rotary Club, Ronald McDonald House, Montana State University Foundation, and Little Horn State Bank.

Being from Chicago, Cal loved the Bears and especially the Cubs. He was a tried and true Cubs fan like his parents before him, and loved passing this onto his family. A favorite time for him was when the family visited Chicago and Wrigley Field to see their first Cubs' game together. Obviously, he and the family were through the roof last fall when the Cubs finally won their first World Series in 108 years.

Cal is preceded in death by his parents; and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judy; his three children, Craig Northam of Centennial, Colorado, Lori and Jacque Northam of Billings; and the surrogate grandchild, Jacque's West Highland white terrier, Daisy.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at First United Methodist Church, 2800 Fourth Ave. N., in Billings. A private burial will occur afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Cal's honor to the Boys and Girls Club of Billings, 505 Orchard Lane, Billings, MT 59101, or the charity of your choice.