Born in St. George, Utah on June 20, 1913, died May 28, 2002 in his daughter's home in Raleigh, North Carolina. His wife and two of his daughters were at his bedside.
Calvert is survived by Norma Laws Whitehead, his wife of nearly 65 years; and his children Janice Woolley (John) of Mercer Island, Washington; Norene Gay (Farral) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dexter Whitehead (Trudy) of Salt Lake City; Utah; Marilyn Taggart, (John) of Raleigh, North Carolina; Clarke Whitehead of Amherst, Massachusetts; and daughter-in-law Denise Gines (Ray) of South Jordan, Utah. Calvert was a loving and much-loved grandfather to 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, William Whitehead of St. George, Utah; his sisters LaVerd Hammond (Owen) of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Melissa Whitehead of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mona Rae Nielson (Bennett) of Orem, Utah; and Patricia Cobia (David) of Provo, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents William Arthur and Clara Myrtle Watson Whitehead, his sister DeVora and his brother Preston.
Calvert spent his childhood and youth in St. George, Utah. He graduated from Dixie College then moved to Provo where he attended Brigham Young University and fell in love with Norma Laws. They were married on June 26, 1937. They lived in Provo and later in Salt Lake City. Calvert became a skilled glassblower and made neon signs for many of the prominent businesses in Salt Lake City and Lincoln, Nebraska, including the Beehive on the Hotel Utah. He attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska where he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry.
His professional career began with the Eli Lilly Company in Indianapolis, Indiana. His first project there was with a team of chemists from several pharmaceutical companies who successfully developed the process to synthesize penicillin for use in World War II. Calvert had a great dedication to and love for science. He had a desire to serve his fellowmen through his work and made several important contributions to the field of organic chemistry. He synthesized two new drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. He discovered a new system for pyrimidines which is taught worldwide as the Whitehead Synthesis. He contributed to many scientific publications and patents. After his retirement from Eli Lilly he continued his work as a visiting fellow at Princeton University, then enjoyed a professorship at the University of Utah. In 1999 he was inducted into the Dixie College Hall of Fame for his achievements in science.
Calvert had a variety of interests and accomplishments. He used his glassblowing skills to make decorative items for his family and was a talented self-taught woodworker and mason. Every home he lived in with Norma, as well as many of the homes of his children, were enhanced by his handiwork. He enjoyed music and art and encouraged Norma as she developed her artistic talents. While living in Indianapolis he obtained a pilot's license and piloted his private plane on cross-country trips.
He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities in the church. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was frequently called upon by his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren for advice and guidance.
A memorial service will be held at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah on Saturday, June 1 at 11 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Remembrances in his honor may be made to Dixie College.