Riel Augustus Calvin

Riel Augustus Calvin, beloved husband, cousin, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 25th in San Francisco, California. He was born on November 19, 1945, in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, to Rosalie Carmelita (Donovan) Henry. An only child, Riel spent his formative years between St. Thomas and St. Croix, attending Washington Elementary and later Charlotte Amalie High School, where his artistic talents and passion for baseball flourished. As a ninth grader, his drawing was chosen as the school’s mascot, a piece that continues to hang in the school today and remained a source of great joy and pride for him.

After high school, Riel was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, requested Infantry as his Military Occupational Specialty, and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas before deploying to Vietnam. During his two years of service, Riel displayed great courage and earned seven medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and others. He served during the Tet Offensive and was among those guarding the U.S. Embassy during the evacuation. Upon his honorable discharge in April 1969, Riel relocated to San Francisco, California, where he lived with his uncle, Frank, before embarking on a 36-year career with the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier. Known as the “Welcome Wagon,” Riel had an extraordinary ability to make everyone feel valued and at home.

On September 2, 1981, Riel married April “Penny” L. (Smith) Calvin in San Francisco. He furthered his education at City College, focusing on art, history, and mathematics. Riel’s passion for sports, particularly baseball and football, was lifelong. He played in numerous baseball leagues, and his talent led to a stint with the SF Giants’ minor league team until an injury ended his professional aspirations. He often joked, “If my arm hadn’t went out, I would be rich,” a memory that always brought laughter to him and his beloved wife.

Riel was preceded in death by his mother Rosalie Henry, stepfather, mother-in-law Lucille Smith, father-in-law Jake Smith, brother-in-law James Smith, and sisters-in-law Rose Spears and Emperia Johnson. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, April “Penny” Calvin; cousins Dominga Francis, Darwin Donovan, Maude Donovan, Madlin Taylor, and other family in Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Walter “Tony” Spears, III, Mark Spears, Shawn “Jeff” Spears, William Oliver, Jale Lowery as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Duggan’s Funeral Home, 3434 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

Riel will be remembered for his kindness, humor, artistic gifts, and unwavering generosity. He touched countless lives and will be deeply missed.

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