Tribute to Byron Calomiris
1918-2005
We Have Lost a Dear
Friend.
On August 24, 2005, we lost our dear friend and co-worker, Byron Calomiris. Many of you know Byron as that friendly, positive person who not only answered your calls to AAHS headquarters over the years, but had that knack letting you know he cared about you and what you had to say. Byron really cared about people and he lived his life acting on that commitment. He cared deeply about his family: his late wife Catherine, whom he missed daily; his four daughters Tina, Ellen, Elizabeth, Maggie, and their families were his pride. He made friends easily and brought light into many lives. He cared about his friends, visiting many who were ill or no longer able to get out.
Byron Basil Calomiris was born on June 13, 1918, in New York. His parents were Greek immigrants and it is a testament to Byron’s caring for others that he remained in New York until his parents had passed away and no longer needed his care, even though Catherine and the family wanted to move to California. Byron’s father was a traveling salesman, Byron and his brother Ted accompanying their father on sales trips up and down the eastern seaboard selling coffee.
Byron developed an early interest in aviation. He began studies in aeronautical engineering and gained a position with Brewster, being promoted to a liaison engineer position. It was here he developed a love for the Brewster Buffalo. He endured a lot of ribbing over the years for this fondness. On December 11, 1942, he enlisted in the USAAC. He was called to active duty on March 3, 1943, as an aviation cadet for the Aircraft Maintenance Program. After basic training at Boca Raton, Florida, he reported to Yale University for technical training. He was assigned to and served with the 853rd Bomb Squadron, of the 491st Bomb Group (The Ringmasters), of the Second Air Division, of the Eighth Air Force. Byron joined the squadron at Pueblo, Colorado, as engineering officer. When the group was deployed he flew, in one of their B-24s, by the Southern Atlantic route to East Anglia where they were based at Metfield and East Pickenham. After the war Byron resumed his aeronautical engineering studies, earning a degree at NYU. He gained a position with Grumman, where he was a liaison engineer. In 1968 he was able to get a transfer to Southern California. He retired from Grumman in 1977. Byron has been a member of AAHS since the first year of the society’s existence. He has been a dedicated aviation historian and was an avid archivist of three-views. He would work for days and involve others in responding to requests for specific
information.
I have had the honor and pleasure of knowing Byron for twenty-five years. I want to assure those of you who knew him, some of you for far longer than I, Byron lived the last of his 87 years as he lived the others: active, fully engaged, positive, curious, and caring for
others.
Tim Williams
One of Byron’s many friends
|