Edward Callan

Edward Callan’s earliest memory was of his mother calling out when their street was under siege during the Irish Civil War: “Get the children to the cellar; put the mattress in the window.” Born in County Mayo, Ireland on December 3, 1917, to Owen and Ellen (O’Connor) Callan, he was the youngest of seven children. After attending schools in Ireland and England, he moved to South Africa in 1937 to teach and continue his education. His several degrees were from University College, Dublin, the University of the Witwatersrand and Teachers College in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Fordham University (NYC). He was awarded a doctoral degree from The University of South Africa and did post doctoral study at Oxford University.

Enlisting in the South African army in 1942, he served in North Africa and Italy as a forward observer with the 6th SA Armoured Division and the British 8th Army. Among his recollections of the war years was entering Rome on the first tank to cross the Tiber River on June 6, 1944. People were lining the streets and throwing flowers on the tanks when a bystander told him that Churchill had announced on the radio that the invasion of Europe had begun.

Back in South Africa after the war, he taught high school English and drama and returned to college. One of his fondest memories of those years was of directing a student production of Pygmalion. In 1950 he returned to England to join the National Panel of Speakers of the British Ministry of Information. He emigrated to the United States in 1952 and taught at Fordham University and Loyola University (Chicago). In 1957 he settled in Kalamazoo and taught in the English Department at Western Michigan University until his retirement in 1983.

Edward was a committed scholar. He received the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award in 1980, and he was appointed to the rank of Distinguished University Professor before his retirement. His writings include over 100 books and articles, most notably full-length books on W.H. Auden and Alan Paton. After retirement he compiled two theatrical one-man shows on figures from Irish literature: I Am of Ireland-, about W.B. Yeats, and Molly’s Only Playboy, about J.M. Synge. The former debuted at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland and later was performed in Belfast, in Rome, and at Western Michigan University. The second play was staged at the Epic Theatre in Kalamazoo in 2002.

Ed Callan was a learned man who loved language and wine, travel and family. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Claire (Wegner), son Joseph Callan of Vicksburg MI, daughter and son-in-law Ruth and Thad Schafer of Paw Paw MI, and grandsons Cody and Dylan Schafer. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Learn more about Ed, view his Life Story film and visit with family and friends while sharing some refreshments on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive (375-2900). Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared in the church hall. Burial will take place at Mt. Home Cemetery. Please visit Ed’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo of him and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or St. Joseph Catholic Church.