Calvin Leroy Van Pelt
Encyclopedia
Calvin Leroy Van Pelt was a businessman in the U.S. state
of Oregon
. Born in Alsea, Oregon
, in 1924, he served in the U.S. Army
during World War II
and was among those who landed on Utah Beach
as part of the Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland Campaigns. After World War II, Van Pelt returned to Oregon, where he graduated from Pacific University
in 1949 and subsequently from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management
in 1950. He began his career as an export trainee with Jantzen, Inc.
in Portland, Oregon
, and eventually became manager of Jantzen's international division. Later, he held executive positions at Columbia Exporters, White Stag
, Sea-Pac International and Martin Sales International. He also worked more than 20 years to establish the World Trade Center in Portland and served several years as Honorary Consul to the Republic of South Africa
.
Van Pelt served on the Pacific University Alumni Board of Directors
, as an Elder for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and several other community-based boards, foundations and committees. In June 2007, Pacific University bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award to Van Pelt and five other graduates. Van Pelt died on September 25, 2011, in Portland, Oregon.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. Born in Alsea, Oregon
Alsea, Oregon
Alsea is an unincorporated community in Benton County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 34 and the Alsea River.As of the 2010 Census, the population was 164....
, in 1924, he served in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was among those who landed on Utah Beach
Utah Beach
Utah Beach was the code name for the right flank, or westernmost, of the Allied landing beaches during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, as part of Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944...
as part of the Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland Campaigns. After World War II, Van Pelt returned to Oregon, where he graduated from Pacific University
Pacific University
Pacific University is a private university located in Oregon, United States. The first campus began more than 160 years ago and is located about 38 km west of Portland in Forest Grove...
in 1949 and subsequently from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management is a private business school whose main campus is located in Glendale, Arizona. Founded in 1946 by retired U.S...
in 1950. He began his career as an export trainee with Jantzen, Inc.
Jantzen
Jantzen is a brand of swimwear that was established in 1916 and first appeared in the city of Portland, Oregon, United States. The brand name later replaced the name of the parent company that manufactured the branded products...
in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, and eventually became manager of Jantzen's international division. Later, he held executive positions at Columbia Exporters, White Stag
White Stag (clothing)
White Stag is an in-store brand of women's clothing and accessories sold by Wal-Mart. Originally founded as a skiwear manufacturer in Portland, Oregon, the company was purchased by the Warnaco Group in 1966, which in turn sold the brand to Wal-Mart in 2003....
, Sea-Pac International and Martin Sales International. He also worked more than 20 years to establish the World Trade Center in Portland and served several years as Honorary Consul to the Republic of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Van Pelt served on the Pacific University Alumni Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
, as an Elder for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and several other community-based boards, foundations and committees. In June 2007, Pacific University bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award to Van Pelt and five other graduates. Van Pelt died on September 25, 2011, in Portland, Oregon.