Calvin Beydler

Calvin Lee Dean Beydler, 78, of McPherson, KS, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at The Cedars, McPherson. He was born December 31, 1947, in Bethany, Missouri, the son of Calvin Joseph and Wanda Joyce (Welsch) Beydler.

Calvin grew up in Lyons, Kansas, and graduated from Lyons High School in 1965. Shortly thereafter, he joined the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, serving at a listening post in Iran where he maintained critical communications equipment. His exceptional performance in electronics training and military service laid the foundation for a remarkable career in electrical engineering.

Following his military service, Calvin studied pre-engineering at Hutchinson Community College before earning his engineering degree from Kansas State University. While at Kansas State, he met the love of his life, Judith “Judy” Catherine Peterson. They were united in marriage on September 21, 1974, in Greeley, Kansas.

Calvin began his professional career with Motorola in 1974, where he was part of a team that developed communications transponders for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The technology played an important role in the Viking 1 and Voyager 1 missions, placing Calvin among those whose work contributed to some of the most remarkable achievements of the space age.

He later joined Texas Instruments, where he helped develop semiconductor technologies, including microprocessors and dynamic RAM, that contributed to the emergence of personal computing. His career took him around the world, including work on microprocessor manufacturing plants in Dallas and a semiconductor facility in Italy utilizing CMOS technology. Throughout his career, Calvin was proud to have been part of an era of extraordinary technological advancement.

After retiring from Texas Instruments in 2006, Calvin and Judy returned to Kansas and made their home in McPherson. He continued to share his knowledge and love of learning with others, working as a substitute teacher in subjects ranging from mathematics and physics to welding.

Calvin will be remembered not only for his remarkable contributions to technology and engineering, but also for his curiosity, intelligence, dedication to learning, and willingness to share his knowledge with others.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Beydler; siblings, Joyce Link of Pawnee Rock, KS, Donald (Sally) Beydler of Hutchinson, KS, and Milton (Rita) Beydler of Wiggins, CO; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, John “Jack” Link.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, August 31, 2026, at Stockham Family Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 9:00 AM until service time. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to The Cedars or Gentiva Hospice, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.