Major General Clifton C. Capp

Major General Clifton C. Capp, 94, beloved husband of 66 years to the late Dorothy (Scott) Capp, entered eternal rest on October 15, 2022 at Covenant Living of Northbrook, IL.
He was the supportive and protective father of the recently deceased (9/7/22) Cynthia ( Gary ) Pittenger of Indianapolis, IN. and Deborah (Bill) Spartz of Western Springs, IL. He was the proud grandfather of Kristen ( Kirk ) Brenner, Brooke ( Chris ) Magdzinski, Scott ( Meghan ) Pittenger, Christopher ( Samantha ) Spartz, Michael ( Ariela ) Spartz and Courtney ( Tim ) Jorgensen. And he was the adoring great grandfather of seventeen. Cliff was a devoted brother to six brothers and sisters, all of whom predeceased him:Paul ( Evelyn ) Capp, Elizabeth ( Edward ) Hammerslag, Rolland Capp, Evelyn ( John ) Faassen, Ethel June Capp and Marvin ( Diane ) Capp.
Cliff was born in Zion, IL on December 21, 1927, to Clarence and Mabel ( Baughman ) Capp. He graduated from Zion Benton where he starred in multiple sports. He then attended the University of Illinois and earned his bachelors and Masters degrees in school administration. After teaching for two years at U of I, he joined the faculty at Zion Benton in 1951.
Cliff married Dottie in 1952 and shortly thereafter was called to active duty, so they moved to Fort Bragg, N. C. He served as a Medical Service officer responsible for the physical conditioning of wounded soldiers upon their return from the Korean War. In 1955 he was discharged, and joined the 85th Division Army Reserve Unit at Great Lakes Center in Waukegan, IL and retuned to Zion Benton as chair of the boys PE and driver education departments.
Cliff and Dottie moved to Northbrook in 1957, where he taught and coached at Glenbrook North High School until 1962. Then, when Glenbrook South High School opened in Glenview, Cliff became the school's first Associate Principal, a position he held until his retirement in 1983. General Capp served 36 years in the National Guard, The US Army and the US Army Reserve while also working at Glenbrook South. Ultimately, he was promoted to Major General, the highest rank an army soldier can attain during peacetime.
Cliff and Dottie raised their two daughters in Northbrook and were active members of The Village Presbyterian Church for 65 years, where among other positions, he served many years as a Stephen Minister.
In both his personal and professional lives, Cliff Capp strove to be a person of high character, who understood that he could hold others- his children, soldiers and students- to high standards only if he met those standards himself. And he did so, but also tempered his expectations of others with appropriate measures of kindness, understanding and love.
Cliff's devotion to Dottie was complete and inspiring, especially during the challenges of her final years when he was constantly at her side. Throughout his life, he was a respected friend, mentor and confidante to all who knew him, and spent many hours helping others work through difficulties in their lives.
He was an avid golfer in his retirement. But, his greatest joy was attending his grandchildren's athletic events and spending time with his great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank his primary caregiver for the past two years, Mike Spartz, for adding great quality and longevity to Cliff's life with his unwavering patience, kindness, love and strong faith.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm at The Village Church, 1300 Shermer Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062. Military attire encouraged. Memorials may be made to Village Church, Benevolence Fund.