George S. Calm, Jr.

George Samuel Calm, Jr. was born on Wednesday, March 8, 1950, to Helen (Urquhart) and George S. Calm, Sr. George was the second of their two children; his older sister V. “Lorraine” preceded him in passing. George was an athlete, a prankster, and a stellar student. He also had a knack for making friends. George managed to stay close over the decades with many of the friends he grew up with in Brooklyn, New York.

As a teen, George attended Brooklyn Technical High School, an all-boys school then. Brooklyn Tech (as it is affectionately known) “[…is a national model for excellence and a stimulating environment that fosters transformational education.” It also still holds the distinction of being the largest highest school in the nation. George made a few more lifelong friends here as well.

George’s adventures after high school would lead him in many directions. From the corner drug store (behind the counter) to the University of Wisconsin and back. He met Lila, or “Kitty” for those who knew her, in 1970; they married in 1973. In 1976, they had a daughter, Kira. She remains George’s only child. In 1977 George studied Economics at Fordham University, and in 1982 he studied Computer Science at New York University while working at US Trust.   

In 1985, George moved to Maryland, which would become his second home. He’d come to work for Electronic Data Systems (EDS), which Ross Perot led then. This would cement his cyber-security and information technology trajectory before most people knew what those words meant. It also began the second group of lifelong friends that George would make. And a Fantasy Football League with an actual trophy.

Over his nearly 40-year career in IT, George did many impactful, significant things that many people will never know about, understand, or take for granted today. However, a couple that may resonate include his designing and implementing the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program with Al Gore and Admiral Pike at the White House Complex. The goal of the GLOBE Program has been to provide STEM students, researchers, and practitioners access to accurate scientific data from around the globe regarding the environment to facilitate understanding and sustainability. He also took his daughter to the White House.

He designed the first secure, web-based filing process for the Security Exchange Commission (SEC). Companies use Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system to file the required quarterly and annual statements for review by the SEC. George also helped create a convenience we relish today through a project called HealthConnect. At that time, Kaiser Permanente, the largest healthcare organization in the country, launched the first nationwide electronic medical records (EMR) system. At the time, putting people’s personal health information in cyberspace was unprecedented. The critical IT components of securing the patients’ data and privacy while controlling access and authenticating who, when, and where access to the patient information would be gained was where his knowledge was required. The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was also needed. It was a point of personal pride that every recommended edit he submitted on Kaiser’s behalf was included in the final HIPAA privacy rule.

In addition to how much George loved and enjoyed the significance of his work and the many good people and friendships he made along the way, George had many other hobbies and diversions. He loved to read, he loved movies, and he loved music, especially Jazz. He loved playing golf, smoking cigars (when he did that,) drinking beer, and loved telling stories and talking smack! George loved cars, he loved to drive, and he loved shopping for all kinds of things.

Mostly George loved his family and friends, and he doted on them. Especially his mother, daughter, and grandchildren. But he always tried to be there and come through for a friend. No time was too late to call or stop by for counsel. Of course, once you asked for it, you’d get his opinion with little to no filter. He’d also make a drive there and back, even when it meant traveling in the middle of the night. George was a faithful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He knew God.

George leaves his mother, Helen; his daughter Kira and son-in-law, James; his grandchildren, James “LJ” and Kyla; his brothers, Bruce and Wayne; his nieces and nephews; his many cousins and extended family; as well as a multitude of friends to remember him often, lovingly, and always!