Leda, Nikki, and Marc, We saw Cliff's obituary in the Chronicle this morning. We are sad to hear of Cliff's passing. We send you our heartfelt sympathy. Bonnie and Stan Deming
Well……You sure got our attention! You shocked us all and left long before we wanted you too. But I know your mom and dad are glad to see you. I can just picture you sitting outside by the river with your dad sipping on a twelve pack, while your moms cooking outside the camper. Tell your mom and dad how much everyone misses them.
You and your family have given me my fondest memories. I’ll never forget when I first starting hanging around Beverly back in the eighties and she told me two of her brothers got tickets for urinating in public. If my memory serves me right, you were one of the culprits. I thought that was hilarious and what cool brothers she had.
I’ve had just as much fun picking on you as you did me. If I knew you were so important and everyone called you Captain I would have bowed when I seen you (not really). It’s not going to be the same without you, who will pick on me now?
I had the opportunity to have Cliff as a CSI instructor and sim instructor. I really enjoyed it. He was a great instructor and great guy. He will be missed. Rest In Peace.
I have known Cliff since 2006 when I started working at the Schoolhouse. He has been a friend and a mentor for the past seven years, when Cliff told me I did it right, it meant a lot. I last saw him on the 9th of this month as we conducted two checkrides together. After he dropped me at the airport, and I said see you soon.... I wish I knew how little time we have left , I would have said more. I miss you my friend, fair sky's and tailwinds always.
In the twenty four years that I knew Captain Cliff Kliesing, I had the pleasure of spending hundreds of hours in the cockpit as his co-pilot, the privilege of spending two years in the office as his Assistant Chief Pilot, and the honor of spending twelve years working along side of him at the Flight Academy. Captain Cliff Kliesing was a huge influence in the professional development of myself and hundreds of other aviators. Sonny Kliesing was my friend. We all know how much he loved his dogs. “Boss” was one of his favorites. When Boss died, Sonny sat in his office and cried - and I cried for him. Shortly thereafter, I got a new pup and was searching for a name. Sonny offered the name “Boss”. I was honored and of course that Lab pup’s name was from then on - Boss. Sonny and I used to take Boss to the old sands pits (aka Windmill Lakes) with a bag of fetch dummies and a cooler of, well, refreshments. When my “Boss” died, I sat in my office and cried - and Sonny cried for me. All of us have some little thing that will forever tickle our memory of him. For me, that tickle will come every time I see a Kroger store. Ya see, years ago I was talking to Sonny on the phone and he said he was at the “K Roger”. I thought “huh - K Roger?” - but didn't ask. He then showed up at my house with, well, refreshments and I figured out that the K Roger was Kroger’s grocery. From then on it became the K Roger to me. Captain Cliff Kliesing was a mentor to me. Sonny was a friend to me. For both, I am honored and grateful!
Cliff did my initial training and checkride at Eagle. Although I did not have a whole lot of time spent with him, the early morning (3am!) at Flight Safety. That short time was enough for me to see through to his character. He was a warm person, had a great heart, and was a good ol' country boy. I was saddened to hear the news of his passing, it has created a void in the world around him that could only be filled with a man like him. Rest in peace Cliff and may God comfort him family in this time. He is on the hearts and minds of the thousands that knew him!
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I was sorry to hear of Cliff's passing today. I will remember him as being an exceptional check airman and helpful to many during a recurrent ground school we attended at the same time. Rest in peace, Cliff!
Leda and Kliesing family, It was a sad day then and today to hear of Cliff's passing. Cliff was my Captain upgrade instructor two years ago and I have had him in many classes. It was immediately apparent of not only his professionalism but his ability to connect with people. He will be dearly missed. My wife and I send our condolences and are praying for all of you.
Light a Candle
Comments
We saw Cliff's obituary in the Chronicle this morning. We are sad to hear of Cliff's passing. We send you our heartfelt sympathy.
Bonnie and Stan Deming
Well……You sure got our attention! You shocked us all and left long before we wanted you too. But I know your mom and dad are glad to see you. I can just picture you sitting outside by the river with your dad sipping on a twelve pack, while your moms cooking outside the camper. Tell your mom and dad how much everyone misses them.
You and your family have given me my fondest memories. I’ll never forget when I first starting hanging around Beverly back in the eighties and she told me two of her brothers got tickets for urinating in public. If my memory serves me right, you were one of the culprits. I thought that was hilarious and what cool brothers she had.
I’ve had just as much fun picking on you as you did me. If I knew you were so important and everyone called you Captain I would have bowed when I seen you (not really). It’s not going to be the same without you, who will pick on me now?
See you in heaven my friend…………….
Sonny Kliesing was my friend. We all know how much he loved his dogs. “Boss” was one of his favorites. When Boss died, Sonny sat in his office and cried - and I cried for him. Shortly thereafter, I got a new pup and was searching for a name. Sonny offered the name “Boss”. I was honored and of course that Lab pup’s name was from then on - Boss. Sonny and I used to take Boss to the old sands pits (aka Windmill Lakes) with a bag of fetch dummies and a cooler of, well, refreshments. When my “Boss” died, I sat in my office and cried - and Sonny cried for me.
All of us have some little thing that will forever tickle our memory of him. For me, that tickle will come every time I see a Kroger store. Ya see, years ago I was talking to Sonny on the phone and he said he was at the “K Roger”. I thought “huh - K Roger?” - but didn't ask. He then showed up at my house with, well, refreshments and I figured out that the K Roger was Kroger’s grocery. From then on it became the K Roger to me.
Captain Cliff Kliesing was a mentor to me. Sonny was a friend to me. For both, I am honored and grateful!
David