The Villages - June 2022 - 48

Before They Were Villagers
that I was involved with - startup testing, process control,
configuration management, emergency planning, human
performance training, cause evaluations, industrial safety,
hydro test and flushing. Now all of those, on the surface, I did
differently, and so I was hired to come in and provide support
for those projects or disciplines. And I always was amazed that
being a contractor, if you didn't come up to speed and voltage,
meaning knowing and being productive, they didn't keep you
around all that long. But when they throw you into the pool,
you either sink or you swim. And I swam in all eight of those
pools, so that somewhat amazes me. "
As for describing his work to inquiring minds, Calka says
he's distilled the information to a two-minute lesson.
" There are two distinct reactor principles, and a nuclear
To say Calka traveled for work would be inaccurate, he notes.
" I wasn't spending a few weeks away then coming home -
I was moving and living in different states, " he said. " I lived in
12 different states and in California. I lived there two separate
times, and this is the third time I have lived in Florida. "
When asked where home was then, Calka simply said, " The
continental U.S. " And while he found his work rewarding,
there were cons to a career on the move.
" When I was notified that a contract was over and that
was the end of this project, it was hard, " he said. " You spend
maybe six years somewhere and develop friendships and even
relationships and then you're on the road again. I always
remember that sinking feeling, but it was part of the job. I
accepted it as the path that I took. "
On the positive side, Calka has learned to be adaptable
to various cultures, and takes pride in his agility in both his
personal and professional life.
" I look back and am maybe a little impressed, " he said. " I
don't go around bragging, but everyone has their strengths and
they should be proud. There are eight disciplines or projects
power plant cannot go kaboom like a nuclear weapon does.
Now, they can build up steam and have a steam explosion
and cause radioactive radiation materials, but it will never go
boom, which is what most people are afraid of when you talk
about a nuclear power plant. "
As he neared retirement, his future was clear.
" All my
life, when somebody said retirement, the next word was
Florida, " he said.
Calka is taking it easy in his pristine bachelor pad,
where every surface shines and his penchant for order is
obvious in his streamlined décor.
" I enjoy home projects, I'm kind of a handyman, if you
will, " he said. " I like detail and organization. "
Calka's garage is a welcoming space, where he relishes his
return from games of water volleyball, golf and racquetball.
" This is my pride and joy, " he says. " I don't imagine
everybody has a garage like this, but pulling up here, it just
feels like the king is coming home. "
Calka's home is hedged in foliage and greenery, surrounded
by seven lush palm trees. Calka has dubbed it " Whispering
Palms Resort, " his personal refuge.
" I lived below my means for so many years, never knowing
when a job would end, " he said. " So now I can relax and start
spending some of what I've saved all these years. "
SAN OFREE NUCLEAR
GENERATING STA TION
48
JUNE 2022
The Villages - June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - June 2022
