Eldred Calvin “Cal” Elshoff was born on July 18, 1928, to Floranz and Esther (Huckeriede) Elshoff in New Knoxville, Ohio. Cal graduated from New Knoxville High School in 1946 where he played baseball and basketball. At the University of Cincinnati in 1952 he earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture where he also played basketball for the Bearcats. He met his wife of 66 years, Irene Molnar, at UC, and they married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bel Aire, Ohio, in 1952.
Following his Army service in the Korean War, during which time Cal was awarded a Bronze Star, he and Irene settled in Cincinnati where Cal practiced architecture.
In 1962 the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Cal converted to Catholicism. A 1965 transfer by U.S. Gypsum Co. brought the family to La Cañada where their five children were raised. Thereafter, Cal worked for Anning Johnson Co. before founding Design Materials Inc. in 1976. He practiced his Catholic faith as a choir member, lector, CCD teacher, Eucharistic minister, minister to the sick and as a member of the Pastor’s Advisory Committee. Cal was very active in St. Francis High School Boosters, Serra International, as director of the La Cañada Chamber of Commerce, president of the La Cañada Jr. All American Football Association, La Cañada Jr. Baseball program, American Association of Woodturners and Glendale Woodturners Guild.
He was preceded in death by Irene on March 4, 2019, and by his granddaughter, Marisa, in 2004. Cal is survived by his brother, Mack Elshoff, his five children: Father Matthew Elshoff OFM Cap.; Cindy Lupica (Anthony); Heather Boensel (Matthew); Jennifer Kirk (Chris); and Drew Elshoff, (Lisa); his 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and other extended family.
