Cliff Wiesenberg, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on July 20, 2016 with his wife and many family members by his side. He was born in Salt Lake City on July 10, 1929 to Carl Ernest and Alwine Louise Schrader Wiesenberg. In 1954, he married Irene Anne McGhee Wiesenberg in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they enjoyed 62 years of marriage.
Aviation was his love and anything to do with aviation always fascinated him. At a young age he started by building model airplanes and flying them, learning the physics of flight and the construction of aircraft. After graduation from West High School in 1947, he started flying lessons and soloed a "Taylor Craft," obtained his private pilot's license, and continued to fly aircraft over the years. During this time, he joined the Utah Air National Guard where he served in many capacities. The Korean conflict moved his aviation career to Georgia then Europe. During this time, he became familiar with many different types of aircraft. After returning to Utah in late 1953, he resumed his civil service as a "guard technician" with the 191st Fighter Squadron of the Utah Air National Guard. He advanced from mechanic to crew chief to dock chief.
When a major change in aircraft came about in the Guard in 1961, he was given the responsibility of supervising the Flight Engineer section. Over 25 student flight engineers were trained in his section under his direction. Later he advanced to instructor and flight examiner. He logged over 10,000 "accident free" flying hours as a flight engineer. In the Vietnam era, he flew many missions in the service of his Country. He retired from the Guard in 1984 with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.
During the "P-51 and F-86 days," he was involved with instructing new mechanics in formal aircraft maintenance training. This was his first exposure to teaching. With military and civilian aircraft experience totaling 38 years, he began a formal teaching career with Salt Lake Community College in 1985. He believed that teaching at the College was among the greatest opportunities and rewarding experiences in his life. He was nominated by his peers and received a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Teaching Excellence Award in 1992. Cliff retired with tenure from Salt Lake Community College in 1995.
Cliff not only excelled in the aviation world but also was a talented carpenter, illustrator, and painter. In later life, he shared his artistic talents by creating beautiful watercolor paintings for his children and grandchildren. He signed each painting in his distinctive way that incorporated the letters of his first name in the shape of an airplane. Cliff loved his family and friends very much and enjoyed spending time with them. He relished watching his children and grandchildren participate in sports, school programs, recitals and other events and especially enjoyed watching the Utes on the football field. He was a faithful member of the LDS Church and served in many ward, stake and leadership callings.
Cliff is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, sisters, and a grandson. He is survived by his wife, children, Cheryl (Stanley Milstein) Wiesenberg, Brent (Tracy Twine) Wiesenberg, Karen (Gary) Klc, and Mark (Vicki Vorwaller) Wiesenberg, 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 27 at 11 AM at the Wasatch Hills Ward (2250 S. Wasatch Drive). Friends may call at the Larkin Mortuary (260 E South Temple), Tuesday, July 26 from 6 to 8 PM and at the church Wednesday, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM prior to services. Internment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
The family would especially like to thank Cliff's friends at Intermountain Hospice and Utah Cancer Specialists for their loving care and kindness
