Clifford Svoboda
January 06, 2011
Cliff Svoboda, 73, died suddenly January 6, 2011 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born November 6, 1938 to Wesley and Eleanor (Hospodarsky) Svoboda in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
He enjoyed watching old westerns and all sports; enjoyed traveling, eating out, spending time with family and watching grandchildren activities. He was very active at Lutheran Church of Hope, where he attended classes, served as an usher and greeter, and a member of small groups. He enjoyed continuing his teaching career by being a substitute teacher.
Clifford is survived by wife, Doris Roettger-Svoboda; daughters, Kim (Stan) Lammers, Missy (Ben) Meier, and Megan Svoboda; grandchildren, Will, Grant, Sarah, Emily, Margaret, Natalie, Tanner and Corinne; his brothers, Eldie (Betty) Svoboda and Lyle (Jackie) Svoboda. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail; his daughter, Stephanie Aldinger, his parents, and a sister, Loucille Skiba.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 10, 2011, at the Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa, with burial to follow at the Chapel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa. Friends may greet family from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, January 9, 2011, at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Church of Hope, to send the children to Vacation Bible School in loving memory of Cliff.
On-line condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Melinda Solliday Louscher
01/11/2011
Cliff was my gym teacher for six years at Rex Mathes Elementary School. I have many fond memories of all of the activities that he taught us to do... like dodge ball and the parachute! Later in life as his oldest daughter Stephanie and I were old enough to date, Cliff made sure that we were aware of the importance of dating Christians and following God's word. He was a wonderful teacher. Cliff will be missed by all and my prayers go out to his wife, daughters (Kim, Missy and Megan) and other family members.
Stan Marlow
01/11/2011
To the family of Cliff Svoboda: Our condolences upon the death of Cliff. We shared an upstairs apartment in the town of Delhi during our first year of employment as teachers at Maquoketa Valley Schools. Stan Marlow
Carl Hays
01/11/2011
Cliff was an AXE brother at UNI. Each time death happens to those we know, our circle inevitably presses smaller. The good news is that we, including Cliff, enjoyed life long enough to at least imagine that we made some sense of it, including its unrelenting shortness. I observed one great lesson from Cliff Svoboda. Because of his impressive stature, several of our fellow dorm dwellers developed a passion for attempting to dump Cliff into the shower with his clothes on, a fairly common stunt in those days, yet none among us was brave enough to attempt the deed on his own. Speculation went on and on until one day somebody came into the room exclaiming, "Hey, Svoby just went into the can, if enough of us wait by the door and catch him when he is weak we can probably overpower him!" So, about umpteen of us waited outside the door until we heard the john flush immediately after which Svoby, clad only in his shorts, flung wide the can door. He took one look of this gaggle of guys with ears cocked ready to pounce, turned and jumped into the shower shorts and all. It was a lasting lesson from this man of great power who new how to tell when it was time to compromise. Peace be with you.
Laura Stein
01/10/2011
Dear Doris,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Cliff. I used to work with you when I was at Syverson Strege before I left in 2000 to complete my MBA. You were always so kind and one of my favorite clients.
He was such a kind, wonderful man. We have been at Hope for 13 years now and he was always there to help. I was in tears Sunday when Pastor Mike talked of his and all of your kindness over the years. He will be missed by so many. Please know you are in our prayers and we are so sorry for your loss.
Laura and Mark Stein
West Des Moines, IA
marklaurastein@msn.com
Robert and Marci Skinner
01/09/2011
Thinking of you at this sad time in your life. Losing a parent is always difficult...lean on your faith, you family and your friends. Covering you with prayers.
Jim Crowder
01/09/2011
Cliff was a Brother in Alpha Chi Epsilon. We roomed together his last year at ISTC. I was so sorry to hear of his passing, and I know the impact he had on every one he knew.
He will be mised by those who knew him. My condolances to his entire family.
He would always "borrow" one of my ties when we had to dress formally for various events. He always told me I could use one of his ties, and I had to
explain to him that it would go down to my knees.
He was a gentle giant of a man, and set great examples for those fortunate to know him as a friend, or student.
Lois and my prayers go out to the family.
Larry Bowen
01/09/2011
At Lutheran Church of Hope this morning Pastor Mike made reference to Cliff's passing and in a church of more than 10,000 that is significant as it indicates the impact he had made at his church. Our daughters both go to Hope so although Cliff and I had limited contact over the last several years I had seen him on occasion at Hope and always appreciated his friendship.
As one who went from second grade through college with Cliff if I were asked to indicate a "best friend" over those school years it would most certainly be him. I know that my life has been impacted positively by my association with him and although I will miss him it is reassuring to know that he no longer will suffer physical pain but will know that "peace that passeth all understanding."
Thanks for the memories, Cliff, may God's peace be with those family members that he leaves behind.
Marilyn Patterson (Joyce's mom)
01/09/2011
Sending my sincere sympathy to all of the family. I observed your dad at a few sports events. The pride he had in his family was quite evident. I hold you all in my thoughts. Marilyn
Judy Bowen Chadek
01/09/2011
So sorry to hear about your loss. Although I haven't seen Cliff since high school, he was a frequent visitor in our childhood home and I have so many fond memories of those days at Wilson as well as the times we spent together. Cliff and my brother Larry Bowen, along with their circle of friends, always had time for Larry's younger sister Judy and her friends, too! My friends and I sure missed them when they went off to college! During the years I often heard Larry talking about Cliff and his life, I am only sorry that I didn't have a chance to see or talk to him myself.
May you be comforted in knowing that he is now in God's hands and will be well cared for. God Bless You all.
Tom and Terri Budnik
01/09/2011
Dear Doris,
We were sorry to learn of Cliff's untimely death. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family. May the peace of Christ sustain you in your loss and throughout the days to come.
With Sincere Sympathy,
Tom and Terri Budnik
Libby Taggart
01/08/2011
Missy, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I remember him being so great and supportive during our Wrens days and a wonderful teacher at Western Hills. I'm thinking of you and your family and sending prayers your way.
Michael and Kay (Hampel) Griffith
01/08/2011
We are SO sorry to hear of Cliff's passing! He was a great and kind friend and classmate during our shared years at ISTC / SCI.
He will be missed. Our lives are the richer for his having crossed our paths, and out lives are the poorer for his having passed on.
Mike and Kay Griffith
Michael F. O'Brien
01/08/2011
Aloha to Cliff's family,
I was sorry to hear of Cliff's passing. Know that his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Cliff was one of my fraternity brothers at Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls - now UNI.
Michael F. O'Brien
PO Box 384899
Waikoloa, Hi 96738-4899
onggi@hawaii.rr.com
808-883-8002
Renee strand
01/08/2011
Mr Svoboda was my gym teacher at Rex Mathes Elementary school.I was a student from 1973-1977! Mr Svoboda was one of my favorite teachers. He was a very kind and fair man. When i first meet Cliff as my Gym Teacher i thought wow he is a big man looking through a third grader eyes dont wont to make him mad.But he was a big man with a big heart and loved all the kids. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Renee Strand
Ray & Sally Ceynar
01/08/2011
So sorry to hear about Clifford passing away. Ray's mother name is Rose
( Svoboda) Ceynar a sister to Wesley Svoboda .
Our thoughts and prayer are with you and the family.