Cal Lidderdale grew up in Billings, Montana. His given name was Charles Arthur Lidderdale, but his family thought it would be cute to call him by his initials, and he has been called Cal ever since.After he graduated from high school, Lidderdale tried to get a job, but he said every potential employer asked about his draft status. In 1961, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served four years in computer maintenance. For one assignment he was stationed at Keesler in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was an eye opener, he said. Lidderdale said they first briefed everyone on things like paying attention to what signs were over the water fountains, what part of town they were in and what bathroom to use. ìIím from Montana, and we didnít do those kinds of things in our town; everyone was an equal,î he said.He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1965.Lidderdale went back to Billings and started his own business installing TV antennas. About one year later, he began working for the Ford Aerospace Corp., and stayed with Ford from 1966 to 1991.Lidderdale tracked earthquakes, viewed satellite Google pictures that were only available at that time to security clearance personnel and participated in Y2K maintenance. He then went into programming and was transferred to Palo Alto, California, for six years.At the end of those six years, after visiting Billings over Christmas, Lidderdale realized he wanted to leave California. Shortly after, Ford sent him to Colorado on a computer contract. That was 1985. He purchased a house that Ford Aerospace owned in Black Forest, which is where he has been ever since. ìI lived on a street in California where the houses were fit in as tightly as they could be, with iron bars over the windows and big city paranoia. Someone suggested I take a drive into Black Forest.î It didnít take him long to decide he wanted to live ìamong those trees.î He likes the quiet and being able to see the stars at night, LIdderdale said.In Colorado, he designed, developed and tested computers, and provided training. He was occasionally sent overseas to England and Germany for short contract jobs. Ford Aerospace eventually sold out to Loral Space & Communications.Lidderdale then worked about a year for Arinc Transport Co., a subsidiary of the major airlines; he took a job at Quest in Denver for a year as a software programmer; and worked at Western Pacific Airlines for two years. He then secured a job at Verizon; and 12 years with them, in 2009, Lidderdale retired.He has been with his wife, Sherrie, for 22 years. The two had briefly dated in high school, but Lidderdale joined the Air Force and Sherrieís family moved to California so they went their separate ways. However, 34 years later, they reconnected ó and eventually married. They both brought teenagers with them to the marriage.Concerned about development in Black Forest, Lidderdale helped work on the second incorporation attempt in the late 80s. He said Black Forest has tried and failed three times to incorporate. ìWe see the city encroaching,î Lidderdale said.Throughout his years in Black Forest, he has also been on the board and held other positions with the Friends of Black Forest. And he is involved with Black Forest activities and the community club. Lidderdale headed up the Black Forest Festival for a couple years and still designs their website. He also serves on the board for the Black Forest Slash Pile.A few years after he moved into his home in Black Forest, Lidderdale built a hydroponic greenhouse, where he grows mostly tomatoes and vegetables. He also makes candy ó specializing in bonbons. He said he fell in love with Mon Cheri candies when he was in Germany, and tries to re-create them with a touch of brandy. He has several decorative molds and has experimented with rum, coffee and even made peppermint flavored bonbons for his wifeís book club members. He also makes turtles. However, Lidderdale said his main hobby is computers. Even in retirement, he spends his time designing websites for individuals and businesses, including the Black Forest Community Club, Friends of Black Forest, the Black Forest Slash Pile, Pappyís Golf and more. ìComputers have been my life since 1961 when I was first introduced to one,î he said.
