The National Senior Citizens Law Center has lost a valued and respected Board member, F. William McCalpin, who died on December 9, 2009 of injuries from a fall.  He was on NSCLC’s Board from 2002-2009, during which time he made many valuable contributions.  "His determination to stand up for the elderly poor and his exceptional legal mind will be greatly missed," said NSCLC's Board Chair, Percil Stanford. "He had an unwavering commitment to justice that embodied the vision and values of NSCLC."  

In his lengthy and distinguished career, Mr. McCalpin was partner and counsel of the St. Louis, Missouri-based law firm Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.  Mr. McCalpin was involved in a variety of leadership positions supporting both the private bar and legal services. From 1965-70, he served as Chairman of the American Bar Association Special Committee on Availability of Legal Services. During 1965-70, Mr. McCalpin was the Director of the Legal Aid Society of the City and County of St. Louis and a Member of the National Advisory Committee for the Legal Services Program of the Office of Economic Opportunity. He also was the Director of Missouri Legal Aid Society and a Member and past President of National Legal Aid and Defender Association. Mr. McCalpin first became a Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation in 1979. He served as Chair from 1980-81. President Clinton appointed him to the Board again in 1993, and he served until 2003. In addition, Mr. McCalpin served as the Chairman of the American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly from 1996-2002.  Mr. McCalpin was recognized numerous times for his leadership and excellence in service over the course of his lifetime. In 1988, he was awarded the American Bar Association’s most prestigious award, the Medal of Honor.

Mr. McCalpin will be greatly missed by NSCLC as well as many of those who knew of his dedication and commitment in providing legal services for the poor.

To read more about great work he accomplished see the New York Times article, F. William McCalpin, Champion of Legal Aid to Poor, Dies at 88