Heber John Cunliffe

Biography of Heber John Cunliffe

Heber John Cunliffe was a kind and gentle man whose smile and twinkly spirit endeared him to his family, friends and associates. He died peacefully and spent his last days surrounded by many people who loved him. He gave them a broad, happy smile just before he died at 93 years of age. Heber built a home in Beverly Hills, California where he lived for nearly sixty years with his wife Sylvia, whom he married in 1960 and daughter, Linda who was born one year later, He was born in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 1922 and died on February 13, 2016. His family moved to Riverside California when he was a young boy. In elementary school, there he discovered his love of Mathematics. Heber pursued his desire to become an Engineer by attending Riverside Junior College and the University of California at Redlands.

World War II interrupted his plans to complete his engineering studies. He enlisted in the Navy (Seabees) in 1942 and was sent to officer’s training school at Camp Perry in Virginia. Heber was commissioned as an officer and later promoted. He served in the 6th, 27th and 58th naval construction battalions and in the Naval Civil Engineering Corps. He was shipped to Okinawa during war time where he served as a building and construction transportation officer. The personnel under his command participated in the repair and new construction of runaways, roads and facilities that were used for a major assault on Japan. He and his men were also responsible for the transportation of cargo that arrived at Okinawa by ship. Enemy night bombings, kamikaze attacks, sniper fire, booby traps and mines made the working conditions perilous. These perils continued to endanger naval personnel and interrupt their work until the Japanese surrender. He received many awards and medals during his service and was commended for his excellent performance of duty during the Japanese occupation.

After the War he was discharged honorably from the Navy. Heber enrolled in the University at Berkeley and graduated with a degree in Engineering. After work he went to work as an Engineer for the Department of Water and Power in the city of Los Angeles. He later promoted and accepted a position in the city’s Department of Building and Safety. Heber was licensed by the State of California as a Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer, and Fire Protection. He received commendations from the State of California board for professional Engineers, Land Survivors and Geologists in appreciation for 59 years of service to the Engineering profession of the State in accomplishments of its mission.

While working for the building department he served as the West Los Angeles District Engineer in charge of all building and safety operations in that district. He previously served as the city Research Engineer and as Senior Structural Engineer in charge of supervising the major structures division of the department. After working for the city for 41 years he retired but did not stop working. He formed a company that provided technical engineering services to private developers. Some of the projects that he worked on were high rise buildings in the Wilshire corridor. He also worked on developments in the Silver Strand in the Marina, The Venice Canals, Century City and the San Fernando Valley.

Heber was an avid athlete who loved Golf. He dragged his wife to golf courses far and wide. He enjoyed snow skiing, water skiing, tennis, badminton, baseball and track. His high school track record has not been defeated. Pets seemed to gravitate to him because of his warm and friendly nature. It was not uncommon for a strange and shy or normally fractious animal to find its way onto Heber’s lap begging for pets and treats. He is survived by his wife and daughter who loved him dearly and will feel the void of his absence so long as they live. May he rest in eternal peace.

Memorial services will be held on March 5th, 2016 at 1:00PM at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary in the Memorial Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Road Whittier, CA 90601, and Gate 1. A Celebration of Life event will be held immediately following the services at 6201 Elmquist Whittier, CA 90601.