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Chaffee, Clifford Harvey “Tip”

Clifford Harvey “Tip” Chaffee, 97, of Waupaca, WI died on Thursday, August 9, 2018 following a brief illness.

He was born in Waupaca, WI on July 13, 1921, the son of Margaret (Sill) and Richard Earl Chaffee. After his mother passed away, Cliff was raised by his grandparents, Edward P. and Emma Sill, and his mother’s siblings, grew up in Waupaca where he was a basketball star during high school and met his lifelong soulmate, Lucille Burns. He joined the Navy in 1942 and served as a sonar man on a sub-chaser in the south pacific during WWII. Clifford and Lucille were married in New Orleans on November 15, 1942, ten days before Cliff shipped off to sea. They recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. They were the proud parents of two children, Cyndee of Gilbert AZ and Jim of Waupaca WI. Clifford is survived by Lucille, his children, and his daughter-in-law, Jan.

Cliff attended Carroll College in Waukesha before the war, and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with BS and MS degrees in Education, and a doctorate in Philosophy. Most of his career was spent in the education profession as a teacher and principal in three Madison, Wisconsin area schools, and a Professor of Education Administration at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. He retired in 1984, after which Cliff enjoyed playing the piano, reading, engaging in his church, leisure time with friends and some travel. Cliff was a talented musician with a good musical ear, which is how he got his sonar assignment in the Navy. During retirement, Cliff and Lucille spent many winters in Orange Beach, Alabama, where they always met up with old and new “snow bird” friends for socializing, some bridge, and occasional golf. Cliff and Lucille returned to Waupaca in 2007, where they purchased a new condominium, and have been living independently. Through church, and Lucille’s golf and bridge playing hobbies, they managed to make many new friends in Waupaca. Clifford lived a long and full life, and was blessed to have many friends and a loving family. He was strong in his Christian faith, which provided comfort during his transition. He will be deeply missed.

The family would like to thank ThedaCare staff for their thoughtful care and Pastor Gene Trieglaff for his support.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, WI beginning at 11 a.m. with Reverend Gene Trieglaff officiating. A Memorial Gathering will take place from 10:30 until the time of services. A private family burial will be in the family plot at Lakeside Cemetery, Waupaca. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Clifford’s name to Waupaca Community Foundation. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hollyfuneralhome.com.

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