Keith A. Kalman

Keith A. Kalman, 61, of Springvale, died unexpectedly in Sanford on Friday, September 21, 2007. Born in Sanford on October 28, 1945, Keith was the son of Irving and Adrienne (Chevalier) Kalman. He attended local schools and graduated from Sanford High in 1964. At Sanford High, he excelled in athletics, including Maine and New England wrestling titles. Following high school, he enrolled at the University of Maine at Orono, where he received his bachelor's degree in biology, co-captained the football team, and, most importantly, met his future wife, Janet. With Janet cheering him on, Keith played center for the historic Black Bears team that competed in the prestigious Tangerine Bowl. Soon after his graduation from Orono, Keith moved back to the Sanford area with his new bride, and both took teaching jobs in the community. During his more than ten years as a Science teacher at Sanford High, Keith again immersed himself in Sanford High athletics, but this time as a successful coach of football and wrestling. Several of his wrestling teams won state championships, and he was instrumental in establishing the Sanford Redskin Invitational Tournament, one of the most competitive and respected high-school wrestling tournaments in New England. Eventually, Keith switched out of the teaching profession and opened his own insurance and financial services business in Sanford, the Kalman-Orino Agency, which he co-owned and operated for the more than 25 years of his remaining life. Despite this switch of profession, Keith remained actively involved in the local athletic community as both a referee and volunteer coach. Among other noteworthy contributions, Keith was a significant factor in the founding of the Sanford pee-wee wrestling tradition.In addition to his family, work, and athletic involvements, Keith had many other passions. He was an avid fisherman and all-around outdoors man. He was an accomplished fishing flytier, and even started and co-owned Dirigo Flies, a company that made and distributed fishing flies to several regional and national sporting goods stores. He was also artistic, indulging his creative side through carpentry, stone masonry, sketches, and paintings. More than anything, Keith will be remembered as a family man who embodied the values of integrity, warmth, wisdom, and selfless kindness. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He was widely loved and respected and will be dearly missed by all. Surviving are his wife Janet (Jewett) Kalman of Springvale; two sons, Ryan Kalman of Somers, CT, and Andrew Kalman of Portland; daughter-in-law, Ann Kalman, wife of Ryan; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Kiana, son and daughter of Ryan and Ann; a sister, Aleta Campbell of Sanford; two brother-in-laws, Donald Campbell of Sanford, and Dennis Langlais of MA; three nieces, Colleen Campbell of Sanford, Sandra Heller of Madison, CT, and Stephanie Heller of Ashburn, VA; nephew, Nathan Langlais of Providence, RI; and mother.Keith was predeceased by his father and a sister, Lynne Langlais. A period of visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 25th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street in Springvale. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, September 26th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Sanford Wrestling, care of Ann Demers, Sanford High School, 52 Sanford High School Blvd. Sanford, ME 04073. To leave the family a message of condolence, please use the "condolences" tab to the left.