Calvert Schlick, Jr.

Dr. Calvert Earl Schlick, Jr., born in Baltimore on February 23, 1928, died in his home in Peekskill, NY on February 25 from complications due to a recent stroke. He was the son of Calvert Earl and Johanna Dreyer Schlick. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Johns Hopkins and Teachers College, Columbia.

Cal was a man of extraordinary talents who touched the lives of many people. His intelligence, his creativity, his athleticism, his sense of humor, his empathy, and his zest for life were hallmarks of his long, rich life. His devotion to his family and many friends was demonstrated through the many touchingly beautiful cards, notes, letters and gifts he sent on all occasions. He attended numerous wakes and funerals for every professional colleague and friend, from custodians to secretaries to teachers. He always supported grieving families with his presence and demonstration of genuine compassion and concern. One of his champion fencers recently stated, “I cannot recall any one he met who was not positively impacted by his acquaintance.”

The center of his life was fencing and he made an enormous contribution to fencing in the United States over his lifetime. Cal was a champion fencer, coach and mentor all of his adult life. In 1999 he was the silver medalist in the Veteran’s World Championships in Siofolk, Hungary. He coached the Mamaroneck High School fencing team for 41 years until he was 88 years old. He worked with hundreds of young fencers over his lifetime for which he earned the Outstanding Achievement Award in 1999 and Award of Merit for Career Contributions in the Coaching and Teaching of Fencing in 2010. He also coached fencing at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore City College and at the United States Naval Academy with teams winning championships at Baltimore City, Middle Atlantic and at NCAA competitions. The Naval Academy team he worked with as an assistant coach swept the 1959 NCAA competition in all three weapons, a remarkable feat and the first college fencing team ever to do so.

Cal was a natural born teacher who loved working at all levels of education from K-12 and college. He began his teaching career as a middle school English and Social Studies teacher in the Baltimore Public Schools, and then moved on to a career as a school principal. He loved his job as Assistant Superintendent in the Mamaroneck Public Schools where he worked for 28 years. He was an inspirational leader and a guiding light in the school system, always challenging educators to learn and grow, to be aware of new programs and curriculums, and to seek opportunities for all students to excel. He was a strong supporter of alternative education programs, such as the APPLE program, Actionville and Coop Summer Camp for disadvantaged students. He developed the first Chinese foreign language program for public school students in the state. He was a tireless advocate for music and the arts in schools and developed the award winning PACE program for the arts at Mamaroneck High School. As teachers often stated, “If you wanted to do something good for kids, you would find that Cal would support you in every way possible.” Retired teachers still reminisce about the extraordinary Superintendent Conference Day programs Cal developed on themes such as Health and Wellness, East Meets West, and the Arts, the numerous nationally renowned speakers he brought to the district, as well as the many professional development programs he supported such as the ones at Lincoln Center and Teacher’s College and through many grants such as the Ford Foundation.

Cal was a veteran of the US Army who proudly served his country in the 47th Infantry as part of the Army of Occupation in Japan at the end of World War II. His troop was part of the first troops to be brought through Hiroshima just after the dropping of the atomic bomb. He never forgot the warm welcome that the American troops received from the Japanese people who were waving white flags of surrender as the train passed by them.

Cal was a consummate learner and a prolific reader who eagerly shared interesting and thought–provoking articles with colleagues and friends. He loved talking about any subject over a bottle of wine. He had a keen interest in history and served many terms as President of the Peekskill Museum. He enjoyed taking art classes and was an accomplished artist, painter and creator of metal sculptures. He looked forward to displaying his work in the Mamaroneck Faculty Art Show every fall. He enjoyed writing letters and poetry, and attending concerts and visiting museums. He loved to travel and spend lazy summer days at the ocean eating a bushel of crabs. He would eagerly dress up in a Santa or Halloween costume or in a tuxedo, and always looked dapper.

Cal is survived by his loving life partner of 40 years, Joanne Falinski; three children – Calvert III (Cathy), Susan Schlick Howard (John) and Thomas; three grandchildren – Corinne Schlick Kern (John), Kathryn Howard (Trish) and Sean Howard; and two great grandchildren – Amelia and Luke Calvert Kern. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Richard and sister-in-law Shirley and his ex-wife Jane Schlick.

A Graveside Funeral Service will be officiated Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. in Parkwood Cemetery, 3310 Taylor Ave, Baltimore. Military Honors will be presented by the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard. Memorial Donations in his memory are to be directed to: Graymoor Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement at www.graymoor.org or 41 Old Highland Turnpike, Garrison, NY 10524 and/or The Peekskill Museum, 124 Union Avenue, Peekskill, NY 10566; and/or The Naval Academy Athletic Association (Memo line: Navy Fencing), Associate AD for Club Sports, 566 Brownson Road, Annapolis, MD 21402NY United States Naval Academy Fencing Club.

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