Cliff Kirschner Obituary

Cliff Kirschner, of West Deer Township passed away on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the age of 75. He was born November 19, 1948, in McKeesport, PA, and grew up in North Versailles, PA, the son of the late Jack L. and Mary L. (Lawrence) Kirschner. He is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-one years, Nancy (Kondrat); his daughter, Kara; his sister, Sandy Menes (Thomas); and his grandchildren, Caden and Ashlyn. Cliff attended Westinghouse Memorial High School and graduated from Edinboro College in 1970, with a degree in art education. He was a popular art teacher, track and soccer coach at Shaler Area School District for 35 years. His varied interests and sense of humor made it easy for him to connect with people. He was quick to share his knowledge and skills, and generously gave his time and talents, always willing to lend a hand where needed. He was an avid artist and lover of antique toys and collectibles. Cliff saw things differently than most, as artists do, finding the unique beauty in everyday objects. He would create, invent, and build in ways that often surprised and delighted his family and friends. Cliff created a beautiful life for his wife, daughter and grandchildren; friendships that will last an eternity, and memories that will live on forever. He is deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew him. A celebration of life is planned for August. MASON-GELDER FUNERAL HOME INC., Jeannette, PA, was entrusted with arrangements.

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Published by Tribune Review on Jul. 7, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Cliff Kirschner

11 Entries

Sandy hastings

August 17, 2024

Nancy and kara I am so sorry to hear about cliff.he is in a better place.take care.u are in my prayers

August 4, 2024

Cliff was an incredible human being that never ceased to amaze me with his talents and knowledge. I first came to know him when I started teaching at Shaler Area in 1995. We shared many good times on the canoe/camping excursions along with the guys (in no particular order: Geno, Wils, RB, Penn, Dinucci, John V, only to name a few). These memories will last forever and I always returned home safely and with more knowledge than before. Much of this came from my conversations and experiences with Cliff. Years later, he built the remarkable log cabin basically "from scratch"...which is still an enigma to me. I recall a brief conversation with him when I asked, "How do you know how to do all of this, books, videos?" His response was a humble, "I don´t know, I just do".
This response was a clear testament to just how deeply soulful he was in addition to being creative. I am very fortunate that our paths crossed and will always cherish the influence that he had upon my life.
WB

Doug Triplett

July 17, 2024

A true inspiration! I followed Mr. Kirschner´s career path graduating from Edinboro University and teaching art/coaching in a public school for the past 32 years. Thanks Cliff for showing me how it´s done. I hope you´re driving that green Saab Sonett III through Van Gogh landscapes!

Brian L Kern

July 16, 2024

One of the best teachers I ever had. Personable, funny and very talented. He fostered a love of art that I maintain to this day. Rest well.

Don Smith

July 16, 2024

Sometimes Only as we get older do we appreciate what people did for us when we were younger. Mr. Kirschner was my junior high gym teacher as well as soccer coach. He was such a positive role model and gave me the confidence to believe I could do anything.. RIP

William Chippich

July 16, 2024

Cliff was my favorite teacher and the reason that I'm still an artist today, almost 40 years later. He will always be remembered.

Ginny and Reed Campbell

Planted Trees

Susan (Varacalli) Venditti

July 8, 2024

We were classmates at WMHS class of 1966. My deepest sympathy to his wife and family. May your memories of a beautiful life last forever.
Regards,
Susan (Varacalli) Venditti

Ginny Neff Campbell

July 7, 2024

Cliff was an outstanding artist, teacher, and person! I had the honor and privilege of sharing a classroom with him a couple of years and then teaching next door to him throughout the rest of the 1970s, in the early years of both our careers. I learned so muchforgotten.

One memory I have was 4 students approaching him at once, as my class ended and his was beginning. Before any of them had a chance to ask their questions, he pointed to each in succession and said something like, " Yours is on top of the cabinet in the corner. Yes, I have the part you need. It is on my desk. Your's is on the window sill. And yours is in the kiln today. You will get it in a few days." He would do this without taking a breath between.

There was a shared supply room between our two art rooms. Sometimes I would go there to grab something I ran out of during class and he would be there on the same mission. I got there and told him "on my way to get an item for a student, 10 more asked me a question, and now I forgot what I was supposed to get!" He laughed and said," The same thing happened to me!" We would both scan the shelves in a couple seconds until it came back to us, grab the needed item, and scurry back to the room.

I especially remember the big 3D holiday displays he had his students make that filled the lobby. He guided them to make incredible displays that brought cheer to the whole building on Scott Ave. He had a wonderful chair collection of castaway chairs reinvented to have the look and style of various famous artists.

Cliff was a superb artist and craftsman himself in multiple areas, not just one specialty. His drawings, paintings, sculptures and crafts were a cut above all the rest of the art department. I temember him telling me he loved working with his hands and making things, that he felt compelled to just keep creating one thing after another.

I remember the minature model of his dream log cabin he had on his desk. I am not surprised it became a reality. He consulted my husband, whose specialty was woodworking, about what type of wood to use for his pegs to join beams and logs. Reed got him some locust wood to make those pegs from our neighbor.
There are many more stories I could tell about his remarkable way with students and colleagues. But, I will close with giving my heartfelt sympathy to Nancy, Kara, his grandchildren, sister, and closest friends. You all know better than I do what a huge impact he made on the people around him, and his awesome creations that he has left behind as his legacy. May you rest in peace, Cliff Kirschner. You will never be forgotton.

Ginny Neff Campbell

July 6, 2024

I wrote a long one and did not submit properly before. Did you get it. If not I will rewrite it.

Tyler Zagorski

July 6, 2024

Last Sunday this earth lost an absolutely amazing soul. Cliff was like a second father to me. Just about every day I was in his shop learning and building and fabricating all sorts of things. This was the man who helped shape me into the man I am today. I am so glad I had the chance to grow up with him by my side. Teaching me to shoot a gun, taking me to his cabin to "help" when he knew all I would do was slow him down. He taught me so many things not just in wood work and building things but in life. As I a child he was my top role model, I aspired to be just like him when I became an adult. As I sit here typing this out all the time we spent together just comes flooding back. I´m glad that I got to go back and sit down and have a couple beers and talk with you even as I got older you always had the best advice.

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