NEWH - Fall 2014 - 21

When we were together in Bangkok, Cliff said he had a little errand to run over at the Oriental. We walked into the lobby, and everyone,
from the receptionist to the concierge to the bell staff cooed, 'Good evening, Mr. Cliff '-clearly, he was a regular. Cliff tells the concierge
that he's come for the elephant they've had in storage for him (for who knows how long). While the concierge and his staff went in search
of said elephant, Cliff managed to get a master key to give me a tour of all the newly renovated suites in the hotel. We get back to the
lobby and behold this five-foot-tall, ornately carved wooden elephant at the front door. In no time, Cliff had pulled over a tuk-tuk driver,
and they wrestled with the elephant and somehow tied it to the back of the tuk-tuk. And off we went, noisily zooming through the tiny
side streets along the Chao Phrya River back to our hotel. Then there was the off-loading process, putting the elephant in storage again,
and immediately proceeding to the lounge for a much-needed cocktail before dinner over at the Sukhothai.
When you were around Cliff for any period of time, his love of life and sense of adventure rubbed off on you, too. You could see the
world through his eyes-a world that was beautiful, if in need of redecorating!
Brian Hackfeld
Allan Knight and Associates

A true friend is somebody that is always there for you, no matter what. That was Cliff. He was warm and caring but also had a razorsharp edge that he could use when needed. He could make me laugh no matter what mood I was in.
I fi rst met Cliff while serving as president of the NEWH Atlanta chapter. He came to conduct a board training session, and I offered
to let him stay at my house. A true friendship was born that fi rst night. We drank wine and watched old movies until 3 a.m. We talked
about everything under the sun and told each other things that you would only tell a longtime friend. That is how fast we bonded.
I do know this: If the worst possible tragedy happened in my life and I lost everything, I knew I would always have a home with him. I
don't think he ever realized how much freedom that gave me.
I love you and miss you, Cliffie.
Janice Marko
Marko International

Uncle Cliff was my uncle, my godfather, and, most importantly, one of my best friends. Right before I got married he told me how proud
he was of me and how I had the most amazing dad ever, but if I ever needed anything, I also had him.
When I was about 2, Cliff came to see us when we were living in Berlin. He took me out to the playground and was swinging me on
the tire swing as I tried to say 'Uncle Cliff, Uncle Cliff,' but it came out 'Uncle Shit, Uncle Shit.' And so began the legend of Uncle Shit.
He made a point, no matter where in the world he lived or where in the world we lived, to spend holidays with us and make sure our
Granny T (his mom) also got to travel the world to see us (and wherever she went, he had a limo and lei waiting for her at arrival). As
we got older, he made sure we had cultured experiences. He took us to see different cities, shows, and restaurants. He called weekly and
texted daily. When I had my baby last year, he would text me in the middle of the night, knowing I would be up for a feeding, to keep me
company and offer encouragement.
Family was one of the most important things to him. He always called me his 'favorite niece' and Bobby his 'favorite nephew'-mind
you, we are his only niece and nephew. When he found out he was going to be a great uncle to two baby boys, he had a dilemma because
he couldn't call either of them his favorite. He decided that Brooks would be his favorite 'great nephew' and Weston would be his favorite
'grand nephew.' Then he decided that his new name would be 'Gruncle Shit.'
Kelly Daly

The main thing I can say about Cliff was that family meant everything to him. After we lost our dad, Cliff became even more attached
to his family. He took great care of our mom, especially after I went to college. But even after I left, my friends soon became part of his
family. For instance, the Powells, parents of my college roommate John, soon were part of Cliff 's family, especially after we graduated
and left home. Cliff went to college at Texas Tech and on weekends he would visit the Powells in Lamesa, soon taking over John's
boyhood room. I think he even redecorated it.
When he went on to his professional career after college, this love of family would continue and was extended to his colleagues,
clients, and eventually subordinates. Everyone Cliff met immediately was made to feel welcome and included. There was nothing he
would not do for his 'family.'
Even during his hospital stay, the nurses and staff all became part of Cliff 's family. He always made them feel welcome and
appreciated. As we were leaving the hospital for the last time, two transport technicians and several of the floor nurses that knew
him came to say goodbye. And in his final days, he was with the family he loved and that loved him, and he was visited by numerous
members of his 'extended family.' I've been asked a couple of times since he got sick if he had no immediate family. Maybe not legally,
but yes, he did. He actually had a very large family.
Philip Tuttle

Fall 2014

NEWH - Fall 2014

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