Cliff Hermance, age 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 28, 2023. Cliff was surrounded by family at home in Portland, Oregon.
Carl Clifford Hermance was born May 29, 1929, in Raymond, Nebraska, and grew up there playing baseball, basketball, music, hunting, and fishing. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska (Lincoln). He served in the United States Air Force as a member of the North Africa 1603 Air Base Group from 1950 through 1953. Cliff was proud of his military service to our Country. He joined the newly-formed United States Air Force in 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War and was assigned as an air transport specialist to the USAF Europe-North Africa command. In addition to developing the character and competencies of an Airman, Cliff was also introduced to the people, culture, customs, and histories of the many African and European sites he visited. These made a lasting impression on the young Airman who would later relate his experiences (serious and funny) to family and friends. Cliff revisited some of these sites in later years marveling at the changes but also pointing out the places and events of his memories. He attended reunions of his Basic Military Training recruiting class and of his Air Base Group and chose Fort McPherson National Cemetery as his final resting place.
As the Korean War drew to a close, Cliff was transferred to Warren AFB in Cheyenne where he learned to fly fish, hike, and camp. Later he would take his family to the mountains of the Snowy Range to learn and experience the same, leading to many fond memories and funny stories. Cliff enjoyed fishing at Lake McConaughy and in later years liked to drive around the lake and watch the seasons change.
After leaving the Service, he began his career in teaching and coaching at Stuart, Nebraska, and moved to other teaching and coaching positions in Kansas City, Kansas, Loup City, Nebraska, and Ogallala, Nebraska. Following his career in the classroom and athletic facilities, Cliff became the Superintendent of Rural Schools and made many lasting friendships in the districts. Later he joined the administration of the Mid-Plains Community College system as Director of Recruiting and Admissions, helping to grow the student population and strengthen the academic program. This position once again brought him in contact with students and school staffers from all over western Nebraska leading to many friendships maintained even after his retirement. An educator and athletic coach first, Cliff inspired generations to achieve and face challenges with poise and determination. A strong believer in the value of education, he took pride in the academic success of others, including family members whose graduation photos adorned the walls of his bedroom. Occasionally, former students would write him later in life to thank him or do the same person-to-person at some event where their paths might cross. Humbled by these experiences but also happy that he had a positive effect, these moments were dear to him. Even in retirement, Cliff continued to champion education and was pleased to be able to award the Cliff and Ruth Hermance Scholarship annually to a graduating senior of Ogallala High School to help them in the pursuit of higher education.
Cliff had an outgoing personality, made friends easily, loved to joke, and held on to his friendships throughout life. These include friends from his youth, military service, college and continuing education, students, colleagues, neighbors, social clubs, relatives, church members, coffee groups, even his doctors and healthcare givers, and many more too numerous to name. He was at his best when he was in the company of friends.
Cliff was a life-long sportsman and outdoorsman learning from his father, an avid hunter, and master of Brittany Spaniels. Cliff loved to hunt ducks and geese all around Ogallala and the area and spent many enjoyable days in his blinds with friends, his son Douglas, and his beloved Lab, Jake. Only a couple of years ago he had a great time taking his grandchildren Jennifer and Douglas duck hunting for the first time.
Above all, Cliff was a devoted family man and husband to Ruth. Cliff and Ruth Olson first met in Raymond when Cliff and his father hunted ducks on Ruth’s family farm. Cliff liked to call Ruth his Svenska Flicka (Swedish Girl), his term of endearment owing to her Swedish heritage. They were married June 15, 1952, in Raymond and started their lives together in Cheyenne Wyoming where Cliff was stationed at the time. Cliff was loved by his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren each of whom hold great memories and tell wonderfully touching and funny stories of their times with him. Cliff was a teacher, coach, friend, and family man. All will miss him deeply and are grateful for their time with him.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Sarah (Barton) Hermance, his sister, Loretta Sterns, and his granddaughter, Alisa Burnham.
Cliff is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ruth (Olson), and his children Jeffrey (Catherine) Hermance, Patricia (Robert) Garsha, Judy (Neal) Burnham, Suzi Ruhlman, and Douglas (Myrna) Hermance. His grandchildren Elijah (Audrey) Garsha, Jeremiah (Jamie) Garsha, Daniel Garsha, Nicholas Burnham, Drew (Christina) Burnham, Jacob (Michelle) Burnham, Catherine Ruhlman, Robert Ruhlman, Jennifer Hermance, Douglas Hermance, Chelsea Hermance, twelve great-grandchildren, and many more wonderful cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Curt Magelky at United Methodist Church in Ogallala, Nebraska.
Inurnment will take place in Fort McPherson Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.
Flowers are welcome. If other gifts are preferred, the family requests your consideration of a donation to the Keith County Foundation Fund - Cliff and Ruth Hermance Scholarship. Keith County Foundation Fund - Nebraska Community Foundation (nebcommfound.org) <https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/keith-county-foundation-fund>
The service will be live-streamed at www.drauckerfh.com.
Condolences may be left online at www.drauckerfh.com. Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.