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Clifford Warren Sandberg
01/26/1949 — 01/29/2025
From West Richland, WA | Born in Aurora, IL
Celebration of Life
Reception
Clifford Warren Sandberg
Cliff Sandberg was born on January 26, 1949, in Aurora, IL. He passed away on January 29, 2025.
Cliff was always physically active and loved the outdoors. As a young boy, he enjoyed hiking around the woods, fishing and canoeing in a stream then ice skating on it during the winter. He loved sports and played football and track from Jr high through college. He raced canoes in high school and began working out and lifting weights and continued through the years. He also enjoyed running, riding his bicycle, playing racquet ball, tennis, riding a motorcycle, and canoeing on the Yakima River. Cliff was a competitive power lifter and won numerous trophies and titles.
He loved being a dad to Jack and Jake and grandfather (Boppa) to Cliff and Jean-Pierre. He and the boys were active in Indian Guides and also had them as students and athletes in high school. To watch him coach, it was never obvious he was their dad. He was proud they both graduated college and trade school and grew into kind and helpful people.
Cliff graduated from CBC and Portland State University earning his AA, BA and MST in education. Cliff spent his entire adult life as a teacher and mentor and coach In the Pasco, Morton and Ki-Be school districts; teaching 38, coaching football 36, wrestling 11, and track 42 years. He enjoyed interacting with youth, making sports life lessons for his athletes, and hoping to make a difference in their lives. As one student quoted, “He didn’t play favorites” which is a true testament of his character. Cliff also worked for Pasco Parks and Rec in Pasco, was active in the Lutheran church. Cliff was faithful in opening the weight room early every day during school, and in the summers.
Cliff was kind and honest and a man of few words. He acted as a problem solver. He was always willing to help anyone, whether loading moving vans, pushing cars off the road, or helping to carry a piano up a fire escape. You could always depend on Cliff. He was a man of his word.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Jeri, sons Jack (Maribel) and Jake (Alexandria), grandsons Cliff and Jean-Pierre, sister Marie (Donnie), brothers-in-law Tom (Shirley), John, and Jeff (Marianne), nine nieces and nephews plus great nieces and nephews. In leu of flowers, donation can be made to Richland Lutheran Church, Hospice or a charity of your choice.
At St Charles High school I remember Cliff as a no nonsense leader that most looked up to. Jeri and their entire family are blessed with the life Cliff shared with devotion. R I P Cliff.
Your accomplishments were vast in education, sports and family.
I can’t remember when Cliff became a presence in my life. Possibly Jr high school. We rode the same school bus and I remember him getting on the stop after ours. He was quiet but certainly noticeable. Very polite and kind.
May your family find peace in the goodness of your life.
My memories of Cliff Sandberg were all good. We were classmates for 4 years in Geo. E Thompson High School, class of ‘67, in St. Charles, IL.
He was a very nice, strong man. I thought he was a quiet and kind man.
I’m so glad he had a good life.
Con Cordogan
Cliff was a great Classmate from High School. We always loved when he made it our Class Reunion. He will be missed by all his “Fighting Saint” Classmates from St. Charles class of 1967
Rest easy Coach. My deepest condolences to the family.
Cliff we will miss you from this world. We have been friends for well over 50 years. And have so many fond memories. A favorite is when we lived in Ellensberg and attended college there. You and Jeri came over in December to go with us to cut down Christmas trees. It snowed hard and the snow was almost waist deep. You led the way. Making a path for the rest of us to follow. I know we were pleased with the trees, but I think we all finally “settled” for the ones we found, so we could go home. My sister Judy and I didn’t even have boots. We put “wonder bread” bags over our shows to try to keep them dry’. I remember we had forgotten to bring anything to fasten the trees to the cars. You remembered though. After we got back to our apartment, we all collapsed. But you, you fell asleep and were out for the night! Oh I love remembering our good times together. I’m glad you aren’t suffering any more. But we miss you
Cliff was the strongest m an Ive ever met. RIP good friend.
Sorry to hear of your loss. We always enjoyed talking to Cliff. We are sending 5 Bibles in his honor. they will be sent worldwide.
Tom and Jan May
One of the best humans, integrity, never quit attitude, I learned what it meant to be a man from Mr. Sandberg ! Great mentor!
God speed
Blessings to Jeri, Jake and Jack. RIP Cliff
Coach Sandberg was one of a kind. “ One more set” and “Get another” were two of his favorite phrases. He was a real motivator who led by example. I hope heaven has a nice weight room. He’s earned it.
Prayers for comfort and peace of mind and heart are offered up for all who love Cliff. After their many years of marriage and Jeri’s devoted care for him during his extended illness, I especially pray for the Holy Spirit to support her gently during this time of such a life change. And may their sons and grandsons be blessed by the memories they built with Cliff.
My sympathies to Jeri, Jack, and Jake. I met Cliff at CBRC several years ago and he always had a smile on his face, RIP.
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Clifford Warren Sandberg