Dr. Richard “Cal” Calvin Bain Oct 27, 1924 – March 11, 2012
Richard Calvin Bain was born at home in Prairie Grove, Arkansas to Effie Jane Carl Bain and James Oscar (Dick) Bain on October 27, 1924. He grew up helping his uncle deliver groceries for the Banner Grocery and Hardware in a horse drawn cart and later pumped gas at the filling station his father ran, (Southland Oil Company). Calvin attended Prairie Grove Schools and later transferred to Peabody High School on the University Campus. After high school, he entered the Army Air Corps and was trained as a bombardier/navigator. With the end of WWII, he was discharged with a rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Calvin Bain directly entered the Kansas City Dental College. While in Dental School, he was able to visit home by hitching a ride with a fellow student, Dr. Whitey Robertson, who has remained a steadfast friend. Dr. Bain excelled in academics finishing second in his class. It was in Kansas City that he met his future wife, Joan (Jo) Purkett.
Dr. Calvin Bain was able to get an uncollateralized loan and start his practice in Prairie Grove above the Farmers and Merchants bank in 1950. He bought his first car when he was 28 and married his soul mate, Jo, on June14, 1952. They raised three children, Dr. John Calvin Bain, Kathy Coleman, and Dr. Andrew Thomas Bain. Dr. Calvin Bain retired from Dentistry in 1986 and turned over his practice to his sons.
Calvin was active in the Methodist Church, Lion’s Club, Masonic Lodge, UMKC Alumni Association, Prairie Grove City politics, and the state and district Dental Associations. He served as Mayor of Prairie Grove for 12 years, and was president of the Lion’s Club, District Dental Society, and the Arkansas Dental Association. Calvin Bain was inducted into the International College of Dentists in 1976.
Calvin or “Granddaddy” as his grandchildren called him, loved family, bridge, checkers, hunting, fishing,, biking and camping. He relished his trips with friends and family to the Boundary Water Canoe Area in Canada and his biking trip to New Zealand. He and Jo took numerous trips to Mexico for the winter.
Cal and Jo hosted numerous foreign students from the University of Arkansas and have maintained contact with many of them over the years. Now the second generation of Bolivians is attending the U of A, the parents of which they hosted. A very special relationship developed with Jorge Davila who was a student from Saltillo Mexico. Calvin and Jo consider Jorge and Gloria, along with their extended families, their Mexican families. Doug Brown, a childhood neighbor, is considered family and has made tremendous effort to keep close even though he has lived all over the US.
Dr. Calvin Bain is preceded in death by both his parents and his only sibling Tom Bain.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, (Jo), two sons and a daughter, John C. Bain, D.D.S. and his wife LeVida, Kathy Bain Coleman, and Andrew T. Bain, D.D.S. and his wife Amy, five grandchildren, Aja Coleman Williams and her husband Nick Williams, Austin Bain, Dawson Bain, Isabella Bain, Gabriella Bain, and one great-granddaughter Madison Hughes. Calvin Bain lived his life with high standards. He truly wanted the best for his family, host students, community, patients, and his profession.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to: Willard Walker Hospice Home 325 Longview Fayetteville, AR 72703