Calvin A. Lemke

Services for retired Louisiana Tech University Civil Engineering professor, Calvin A. Lemke, age 92, will be held at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at the Temple Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Reggie Bridges and Rev. Dale Oden officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston, LA. Graveside services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday January 23, 2014 at Rosemound Cemetery under the direction of Lake Shore Funeral Home in Waco.

Calvin was born in Waco, Texas, on August 25, 1921 and went to be with our Lord on January 18, 2014 in Ruston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Robert and Nina Lemke, brother and sister-in-law, Julius and Marie Lemke (second wife, Norma) and nephew Carl Richard.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Wanda Wilkes Lemke; one son, Dr. Steve Warner Lemke and wife Carol; beloved grandson Austin Warner Lemke, and a niece-in-law Lillian Lemke-Jacoway and husband Rueben, as well as other relatives.

Calvin loved the Lord and His church. While in Texas, he served as Deacon, Sunday School Director, and Church Treasurer at Hewitt Baptist Church. In Ruston, he served as a Deacon at Temple Baptist Church for over 50 years, as well as in various roles in the Sunday school. He also served as Church Clerk for 25 years.

He was a graduate of Lorena High School in Texas, and Texas A&M University, where he was in the A&M Corps of Cadets. After graduating, he helped design and build war planes, especially the B-25. He then served his country in the United States Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines. When he returned from military duty, he established engineering and surveying business in Waco, Texas and was elected County Surveyor of McLennan County for 2 terms. He taught math classes at Baylor University before moving to Ruston to teach Civil Engineering at Louisiana Tech University for 35 years, retiring in 1991, earning the College of Engineering Distinguished Service Award. He also did research for the Louisiana Department of Highways and the Federal Highway Administration.
Calvin was interested in the community and served on the City of Ruston Planning and Zoning Commission for over 20 years, serving as Chairman for many years. He also served as Chairman and member of the Ruston Community Development Advisory Board.

He will be missed by all who knew his kind and gentle nature, refreshing humor, and uncompromising standards for his students.

The family expresses a special word of thanks to all who cared for him at Alpine Guest Care during his residence there since March 2010 and to his dedicated night sitter, Yalanda Devine. Appreciation is also expressed for the care that his physicians and medical staff provided for him.
In lieu of flowers, planned memorials may be made in his name to Temple Baptist Church (1515 S. Service Road West, Ruston, LA 71270); New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (3939 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126); or to the Louisiana Baptist Children