Leland (Lee) Franklin Caulfield

Leland (Lee) Franklin Caulﬁeld, 94, of Bloomington, passed away on October 24, 2024, in Bloomington, IN. Born on April 26, 1930 in San Francisco, California, Lee grew up in Mill Valley, California, with his parents, Luise and John Caulﬁeld, and three brothers. He graduated from Tamalpais High School before receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California Berkeley in 1953. While at Berkeley Lee joined the Naval Reserve, and upon graduation, entered active Naval service as an Ensign. Lee served as the Engineering Ofﬁcer on the LST 1157 for three years, during which his ship was an active participant in the ﬁrst U.S. hydrogen bomb test program in the Marshall Islands. Lee retired from the Navy as a LTJG. Lee then joined the Engineering Test Program in GE, working as a Domestic Marketing Executive in the Steam Turbine and Gas Turbine Operations, before moving to the International Marketing Manager for Electric Utility sales. This role involved the sales of electric generator equipment and complete turnkey power plants in Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Guam, Okinawa, Indonesia, India, Korea, and a variety of other countries. Lee worked closely with the Japanese company Sumitomo Trading Co., and after retiring from GE in 1985, Lee worked for Sumitomo as a consultant. In 1977, along with his second wife, Eleanor Fell, he formed the Vanderbilt Music Company, which specializes in harp music and supplies. In 1985, they moved from New York City to Bloomington, Indiana, to concentrate on the business and grew it to be one of the largest and most trusted brands among harpists in the country. He sold his interest in the company in 2012. Lee is survived by his current wife, Sharon Caulfield, of Bloomington, IN; four children: Susan Caulﬁeld of Cambridge, MA; Sharon (Jim) Lewis of Williston, SC; Steven (Alison) Caulﬁeld of Delft, The Netherlands; and Scott (Marcella) Caulfield of Westfield, IN; grandchildren Benjamin Cox, Andrew Cox, Kathryn Caulfield, Ethan Caulfield, James Caulfield, and Grayson Caulfield; and beloved nieces, Carole Caulfield Ingalls, and Ellen Fenichel. He is also survived by four stepdaughters: Julie Lavender, Jill Taylor, Joni Croll, and Jamie Scott. He was preceded in death by former wives Wilma Caulﬁeld of Peabody, MA and Eleanor Fell of Bloomington, IN, his son-in-law Randall Cox, his grandson Austin Caulfield, and his brothers, John, George, and Stanley. Throughout his career, Lee had been actively involved in various civic endeavors. He ran for public ofﬁce and successfully served as Chairman of the School Board in North Reading, MA for 5 years. Lee loved his extensive worldwide travel and was able to bring all of his family members with him to visit countries on all continents. A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm Wednesday October 30, 2024 at the Allen Funeral Home 4155 S. Old St Rd 37 Bloomington. Visitation will be held from 1:00pm to time of service also Wednesday October 30, 2024 at the funeral home Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Leland (Lee) Franklin Caulfield

April 26, 1930 - October 24, 2024