Dennis Ray CLIFT

Dennis CLIFT Obituary

CLIFT, Dennis Ray
October 20, 1952 - June 11, 2010
After a courageous battle with brain cancer (glioblastoma multiforme IV) Dennis completed his journey peacefully at home with his wife by his side and daughters close by. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Donna Kenfield (his ''Pookie''), his daughters, Lauren (Lo-lo), Anna (Banana), Sara (Beara), his step-children Alexandra, Matt, Leah Randazzo, his mother Eileen Clift and his brothers Ron (Donna) and Jim Clift, and his nephew Ryan and nieces Korey and Rachel. He will also be missed by Donna's family along with many friends.
A military brat born in France, Dennis' family settled in Davis, CA where he attended junior high and high school securing many life long friends. He graduated from UC Davis (BS Civil Engineering) and CSUS (MA Engineering). Dennis worked as a civil engineer with several firms in the Sacramento area and, most recently, with Kimley-Horn and Associates of Rancho Cordova.
Dennis was a lover of life. He enjoyed good food and good wine. He loved to travel and he and Donna enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. He was thrilled to share a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta with his three daughters (Queso!). He was passionate about sand, sun, beer and good tacos! He invented the famed Taco Crawl during his golf vacations to Mexico.
Dennis thoroughly enjoyed physical activities: hiking, golfing, playing softball, bicycling - he liked to go big. Dennis recently added Harley riding and had several great rides with Donna and friends Dennis and Judi Manley.
While Dennis had a high IQ (142 he would tell you), he had a higher social IQ. He was truly gifted on how he made people feel special and appreciated. He was definitely one of the good guys and he will be missed. A celebration of his life will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 19 at the UCD Alumni Center. The family requests you honor Dennis by wearing your favorite Hawaiian shirt. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Sutter VNA Hospice Foundation (www.suttervnahospicefoundation.org, the National Brain Tumor Foundation (www.braintumorcommunity.org/goto/ThreeMusketeers) or a charity of your choice.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee from Jun. 17 to Jun. 19, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis CLIFT

12 Entries

Anna Clift

December 8, 2010

I don't who who visits this site still..but your notes have been very comforting. please continue to share these wonderful memories with us.
- Anna

June 23, 2010

I wanted to share my sympathy with Dennis' very large family. While I only knew him professionally, we shared the bond of being military brats. As an urban planner, I worked with Dennis on many projects about 10 years ago and had not seen him since. His knowledge and professionalism were without question. He's much too young and is obviously leaving a very large void in many places.

Linda Budge, AICP
Council Member, City of Rancho Cordova.

Lisa Qvistgaard

June 18, 2010

Dear Lauren, Anna, and Sarah,
Your dad was such an important part of my life in my late teens and early twenties. He was my confidant and my protector. He believed in me, while I was still figuring out how to believe in myself. You girls are truly blessed to have had such an incredible man as a father. I will miss him so much. My heart goes out to all three of you and I hope that your memories of your dad will carry you through this difficult time.
Love to you all,
Lisa Jacobs Qvistgaard

Michelle Espy

June 18, 2010

Donna (and family)-I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I never had the chance to meet Dennis, but I have seen how Donna's eyes sparkle when she talked about her husband and family at school. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ted Herman

June 18, 2010

Anna, Lauren, Sarah, and Donna,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dennis was a wonderful person and I am very glad I had the chance to know him. My prayers will be with you.
Ted Herman

Bruce Burton

June 17, 2010

Hi girls,

I loved having your Dad as my brother-in-law. We spent almost 20 years together dealing with the same challenges of raising children, dealing with life, spending holidays together, and enjoying our company.

The first time I drank Tequila, my first handcar race, the first time riding the Folsom zoo train, the first time I coached a basketball team - all done with your Dad.

I'll miss him, but I have the three of you still, so it will be ok. Take care.

Larry Fells

June 17, 2010

I only met Dennis 2 or 3 times when visiting with Ryan. He always made me feel like a close friend. It doesn't take long to know a man with a big heart.

Scott Barker

June 17, 2010

Dennis was an outstanding man and colleague. I feel privileged to have known and worked with him.

Stacey Packard

June 17, 2010

To the Family of Dennis Clift,
I am so sorry for your loss. Dennis sounds like a wonderful person to have known. I work in SJUSD and have heard many wonderful things about him. I will keep you all if my thoughts and prayers. This is a long journey, take it one step at a time.

Becky Matt

June 17, 2010

Donna, I'm so sorry for your loss. I too just lost my husband. I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.

Dennis Manley

June 17, 2010

You will be missed by many my friend. I had the opportunity and pleasure to spend a great deal of time with you.

You will always be with me and I will never forget our freindship.

Love,
Dennis

Nansey Honeycutt

June 17, 2010

Donna and family,

Please know that my thoughts are with you. Dennis truly was one of the "good guys". I hope the "ripple effect" of his being, will be felt and brought back to you many times throughout your lives.
Love,
Nansey

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