I had the great privilege of meeting Grant Cadwallader in 2000, the great transition year. Grant and his dear wife Susan lived in a nice home in on Beechwood Drive in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, that they had just redesigned, as many do. Both Susan and Grant made you feel comfortable from the start. Little did I know that Grant just had a few more years to be on this planet. In 2001 after Emmitsburg Osteopathic Primary Care Center, Inc. bought the property at 121-123 West Main Street in Emmitsburg and was looking for an architect that would be able to put a lot of clinic in a very small place, Grant Cadwallader returning from a visit with his brother in Florida, said, “Is it too late?” I said it is never too late, what can we do to help you? He said, no, I want to help you! Ahh, I said, you are an architect! I presumptively said, “We will need to have your portfolio for the Board to review and how much would you be looking for in a ball park sort of way.” We had basic sketches and so far we knew we would be looking at $35,000.00 just for the architect. That was after interviewing three architects, none with whom we bonded just right. Grant Cadwallder, smiling, probably because his worth was through the roof, then said “I want to do this for you as a gift.” Stunned, I verified, “As in free? You are hired. Could I still have a portfolio?” Grant, Susan and I would talk at their house discussing the philosophy of the practice, how we wanted flow, space, air, light to enhance the patient centered healing practice. Grant met with the Board on several occasions and helped guide us through finding our construction company. Grant made several copies of the plans and then hand delivered them to construction companies that said they were interested in reviewing them for possible bidding. Grant would knock on the door, place the plans in designated drop off points and then go to a place he could not be seen to watch the initial reaction as they picked up the plans. Grant would let us know of his thoughts as we narrowed down our choices. When we finally chose McCoy Brothers of Carlisle, PA, Grant Cadwallader went to their headquarters with me to see first their work and make sure they were really on the team. While steady progress was made doing this phase, EOPCC ran into many snags getting approval at the many needed levels and meeting the many requirements and concerns of neighbors, the town, the county. The project was shut down so many times, that when Grant Cadwallader checked on the project, just having come from Florida for a final check on our project, there was nothing for Grant to see. He died one month later, age 66, on October 7, 2003, at North Bay Medical Center, New Port Richey, Florida. Grant did not find me to say he was in town. He just drove by in a hope that was not rewarded. This has always been a point of sadness for me. His wife let me know that at his Quaker service after his death. How honored I and a friend were to attend the service at Horsham Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Horsham, PA. I can only hope that in whatever can be known from one side to the other, Grant Cadwallader is looking on our building project, finally completed with a bit of a smile.

Grant Cadwallader was a world class architect who had worked for the Federal Government since at least the 1960’s. Grant Cadwallader was one of the government’s historic preservation Architects in “the Museum Program” 1964-1982. Grant Cadwallader’s work was the preservation of our nation history in wonderfully designed, people friendly museums, with profoundness though architectural design. His philosophy was that it was not his design, but that every outlet, every wall would be under his supervision. It was his custom to stay close with the project so that it did and said what he promised it would. Grant oversaw the setting of the exhibits in the 1970’s of our Harper’s Ferry Center. Grant Cadwallader brought to fruition the on again, off again, American Immigration Museum at the base of the Statue of Liberty. It was commented that under Grant Cadwallder the project was brought to completion “with deliberate haste.” Grant Cadwallder knew that economics was a major concern and nearly caused the project to fail and fall into oblivion as it had threatened to do from its initial conception in the 1950’s. Many now visit the museum with fascination and learn of the story of the peoples, the immigrants into our republic, our United States to make their home and life. Grant Cadwallader spoke of this project with great pride. Grant Cadwallder was also proud of his work designing the Mellon Family Museum. I never got him to give me a direct line to get a donation from the Mellon Bank, a secret goal of mine.

Grant Cadwallader’s family have records going to 1697 when John Cadwallader came to Doylestown, Buck County, Pennsylvania from Wales. John Cadwallader was a poet. Some of that flavor seemed to be in Grant. I was humbled to be on that same ground as we attended the Quaker service, ever so simple, after his death in 2004. Grant dearly loved his wife Susan who also did a lot of museum work but from an interior designer perspective. I knew of two daughters, was honored to meet Gail, who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. Grant brought Gail by to see us while we were in our deconstruction phase at the future home of Emmitsburg osteopathic Primary Care Center. They we surround by a cloud of dust and a big hope and vision for the future. At his memorial service the family told stories of outrageous adventures of cross country car racing, and the fun he had with golf. He spoke of a dear friend, George B. Hartzop,JR., buried at Valley Forge, that was a role model, whose death left an empty spot and Grant would visit this last resting place now and then and still talk with his friend. It was no surprise that the family asked that in lieu of flowers donations were to be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the National Park Services, George B. Hartzop, Jr. Education Loan Program. When Grant and Susan Cadwallader were moving to Florida to be with his brother, in Trinity Florida, they had one of those famous divesting yard sales. There, I was happy to have bought their Grandparent’s baby crib for the little ones on their early visits. It is a dear remembrance of a wonderful family.

Grant served in the Navy Reserve. Grant was a member of the Lions Club in Gettysburg, Pa, where he enjoyed fund raising to help with the many historic museums in Gettysburg, including golf tournaments. I want to thank Susan, Gail, Judy (I met her briefly at the Memorial Service) and Grant for being a part of the Emmitsburg Osteopathic primary Care Center story and for the gifts of vision, service, commitment and caring that is the story of the Susan and Grant Cadwallader story.