Clifford William Heggs
Clifford William Heggs was born May 9,1949, in St. Louis, MO to Clifford and Elizabeth (nee Gorsuch) Heggs. He passed from the world on February 6, 2021. Cliff grew up in Ballwin, Missouri, attending the Parkway School District along with his brother, Gary, and sister, Susan. He was in the first class of students who went completely through Parkway from kindergarten to High School. In his youth Cliff competed in western pleasure saddle riding, and won several state championships. Cliff attended Central Methodist College, where he took classes in art and business, and met his future wife of 46 years, Julie (nee Hennessy). He finished a degree in fine art education at Southeast Missouri State University, and worked at Ritenour School district teaching secondary level fine art, art history computer graphics, photography, and ceramics for 30 years.
Cliff brought his artistic skills into his life at home by completely redoing his1890’s residence in the City of St Louis. He designed the current kitchen, which won awards in a local magazine. The kitchen turned out to be an inviting place to practice the art of cooking, which he also enjoyed. Many benefitted from inviting breakfasts and delicious dinners.
Cliff enjoyed hiking and playing tennis with friends for many years, but his most treasured sport, however, was cycling. Cliff said that he traded the horses for his bike. In cycling, he and Julie met many treasured friends with whom they rode on local trails and streets and in numerous trips to France, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, and other European countries. He attended the Tour de France several times. Among his friends he was known to be a competitive rider, and a strong hill climber, but he also looked out for others, by slowing his pace to help riders with bike difficulties, and to talk and catch up with friends.
Cliff was a really good and nice guy. He will be missed.
Julie-My thoughts and prayers are with you…I feel fortunate to have met you both through mutual friends and know Cliff will be sorely missed. What an alive spirit…a ready smile, an eye for beauty and a passion to create…someone who touched many lives as a teacher and friend. Cliff encouraged me to consider teaching. He made a difference and the world is better for it.
Julie
Dearest Cliff, you beautiful soul. You will be missed but live within out heart and memories of time shared. May we honor you in our acts of kindness toward others, in appreciation of art and time with nature. Julie, your strength and courage in each day is a profound example of love and care for Cliff. I love you both so deeply.
Julie – I am so very sorry to just hear about Cliff’s passing. Sending prayers , God’s Blessings and strength to you and your family. I have so many fond memories with you both during Pedal the Cause activities and riding together. Cliff remains an inspiration to many in his courageous fight during his cancer treatment. He is an inspiration to me and one of the main reasons why I raise research funds through Pedal the Cause and Volunteer at Siteman Cancer Center. He will be missed.
❤️❤️❤️
Thinking of you, Julie.
Cliff – a strong – creative person who will be missed❤️️ ! We are thinking of you Julie ….???????? From your Dallas friends…
Julie,
We just learned of Cliff’s passing & we are saddened.
We were truly blessed to know him, his humor, smile & his vast knowledge of so many things.
Sending you our love, light & prayers.
❤️????Kathy & Bill
So sorry to hear of Cliff’s passing. He was a great companion at RHS who I immensely enjoyed talking to. A very kind, generous man with his time and help for all he touched. Prayers for you and your family and friends.
Cliff was a great guy! I enjoyed working with him at Hoech. We had some fun times years ago on our Monday night food feast. W had fun at the get togethers at the Verby’s house as well.
I am grieving Cliff’s passing but also celebrating his time on Earth. He was a dear cousin. Whenever I think “Cliff,” I also think “Julie”–such a loving bond that somehow enabled you to embrace the rest of us. Quietly, Cliff, in your own way, you were Present in every interaction I had with you, a gift not all have. I always admired you from afar. I loved to hear of your travels. And the video you made about them. I loved your photos of the Zoo also thought and hoped and wished the best for you as you went though your fight. And through Julie’s words I learn more good things about you. Thank you, Julie. Cliff, I will miss you and I will always remember you. I see all the other comments here and simply say YES.
Julie I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for your comfort and strength.
So sorry to hear this sad news Julie. May Cliff live on through all of the special memories of the amazing days you spent together. Sending my condolences and a big hug.
Julie,
So sorry to read of Cliff’s passing. Sending prayers your way for comfort. May you be consoled.
Dear Julie,
News of Cliff’s passing is overwhelming to learn. I am so sorry for your loss.
One of your joys was with him doing all the fun riding in many parts of the world.
May your wonderful memories in all things give you great comfort and know
your friends-far and wide- love you and support you. May he be at peace.
May God grant you His comfort and peace at this difficult time, Julie! I’m here anytime you’d like to talk.
Dear Julie,
My sympathies on the loss of your husband. May God hold you close and give you comfort.
Julie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. It sounds like you two had a wonderful life together. I am in Houston now but would love to talk to you. I miss my fine Pattonville friends very much.
Phyllis Chandler Grey
Julie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know there are many people praying that you will be comforted remembering all of the great time(s) you had together!
Mary Kay Campbell
I’m so sorry to hear this, Julie. Thinking of you, and sending love your way.
Julie, It is with great sadness that I write this note to you. Judy and I are so sorry to hear of Cliff’s death. From his obituary, it sounds as if you had a wonderful life together and we hope that you will remember all of those wonderful bike trips and travels. The home you share is one that I passed every day on my walk to school. Please know that you are in our thoughts. With sympathy, John and Judy Pohl
Julie, I was so sorry to hear of Cliff’s passing, especially after fighting stage four pancreatic cancer for almost 7 years. I consider him a great friend that will be missed every day. I share in your grief at this sad loss.
I will never forget the many memories that we shared over the years biking together. Cliff knew every every bicycle route around Naples, Bonita Springs, and Fort Meyers. I never heard an ill word spoken of him. He was kind, compassionate, and a true gentleman. Sadly there are few people like that in the world today.
I hope that in the weeks and months ahead that I will be able to return the favor of all that he did by exemplifying what it was to being a good human being. So, we will continue to donate to the Pancreatic foundation in line with what Cliff’s wishes would be.
Again, we want extend our sympathy and we want you to know know how much we share your pain at this sad time. If and when you come down this way, please let’s get together. You are a great friend.
I was fortunate to have met Cliff and Julie on a cycling trip in France. We continued to do several more together. My fond memories of Cliff are of how thoughtful and helpful he was to others – whether in cycling or anything else. I will miss him greatly in my future visits with Julie. What a trooper he was right up to the end.
Cliff was a gentle man. He was soft spoken and kind. We all should strive for his attributes. Julie, cherish the memories❤️
Julie,
My heart was saddened to hear of the passing of Cliff. Your tribute to him is so beautiful. I loved reading about all of your adventures together. Cliff touched so many lives in so many positive ways. I will remember his smile and his gentle way. I’ll remember his thoughtfulness as we hiked at Hawn State Park and we just couldn’t quite keep up. Cliff was truly a blessing. May all the special memories you had together bring you comfort. May God be with you and give you His peace. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I’m here for you. Sending love and hugs your way.
What a wonderful tribute written about Cliff. He was a dear friend and great frat brother. It has been such an honor to spend time with both of you these past few years. We have wonderful memories and will miss Cliff a lot. Blessings and sympathy to Julie and family.
GOOD MEMORIES OF CLIFF, RITENOUR COLLEAGUE! R.I.P. ONE SHORT SLEEP PAST, WE WAKE ETERNALLY…AS JOHN DONNE WROTE SO LONG AGO.