Calvert G. Belden

Calvert (Cal) G. Belden, of Robbinsdale, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2023, at age 95 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his children Rebecca Strupeck (late Frank), Daniel, Ginny Belden-Charles (Dan), Tim, Benn (Mary Niggeler) and Tony (Mary Thureson), sister Dianne (Belden) Skoglund of Colorado and brother Dan of California, grandchildren Annie, Frank, Tony, Mary, Ellen, Nick, Dylan, Jaime, Tim, Katelyn, Anna, Calvin and Elizabeth and great-grandchildren Arlo, Gage, Franklin, George, Eli, Louise, Odin and Emil. Cal was preceded in death by his wife Lois (Livgard) in 2016, after 66 years of marriage.

Cal was born in 1927 in Minneapolis, MN, to George and Mildred Belden, and soon moved to Jordan, MN, where he grew up. He excelled in sports as a natural athlete from a young age. After graduating from Jordan High School in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed with Allied forces to post-war Japan for 1 1/2 years. At 6’4” tall, Cal stood out as much for his stature as for his innate curiosity, sense of humor, and infectious enthusiasm for trying new things. He made fast and lasting friendships everywhere he went, even in occupied Japan, where he picked up some of the language, learned a few songs, and once talked a rickshaw driver into letting him pull the driver around Tokyo. After returning home to MN, Cal enrolled at St. Cloud State on the G.I. Bill. He eventually transferred to Mankato State where he played football and graduated with a degree in History. He later went on to earn his master’s degree in School Leadership from St. Cloud State.

After college, Cal began his career in teaching and athletics at schools in Adrian, Glenwood, and St. Cloud, MN before landing in his long-time home of Robbinsdale district #281 where he taught American History and coached sports at Robbinsdale and Cooper High Schools. Over the years he coached teams in football, basketball, track, and cross country. Cal believed in the power and promise of sports so much that while coaching the boys track team at Cooper he formed the first Cooper girls track team in the years before Title IX became law. Many former students would thank him years later for inspiring them with the gift of learning. Cal went on to enjoy 37 years of retirement, becoming an active member in RARE (the Robbinsdale Association of Retired Educators).

The achievement of which Cal was most proud, however, was his ever-growing family. He delighted in spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, their families, and the activities that revolved around them. He and Lois maintained a family summer home on Leech Lake, MN, where Belden kids and grandkids learned to swim, fish, golf, play cards, and “smoke the queen” in Hearts (he would mercilessly clean house), while eating only as many Gold ’N' Nugit Bars as they could get away with. The family has fond memories of meals together, and the speed and precision he used to shear corn off the cob never ceased to amaze.

When he was not at the lake or at a game, Cal followed his favorite teams religiously. He rarely missed a big game (or small) on TV, though he never let it get in the way of a good snooze (or snore). He knew his teams, players, stats, and the latest trades - whether it was the Gophers, Twins, or Notre Dame. And like any good Minnesotan, he even occasionally let himself believe in the Vikings.

In addition to his unending devotion to his family, Cal will always be remembered for the glimmer in his eye, his sense of wonder at the world, and his smile and laugh that greeted us all.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 17 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 3888 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale, MN 55422, with visitation services beginning at 10 a.m. Internment will be at Gethsemane Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to:

Cooper HS Activities c/o Girls Track

Attn: Sara Thurston

8230 47th Ave. N.