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Photo #97226

Last Name: RISLEY

First Name: CLIFFORD

Middle Name:

Subject's City: Moorpark

Subject's State: CA

Subject's County: Ventura

Subject's Country: USA

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Photographer's City:

Photographer's State:

Nee: RISLEY

Type**: SNAP

Comments: CLIFFORD RISLEY (Nee: RISLEY) | Moorpark CA USA | | Comments: In Memory of Clifford Risley Jr. January 16, 1925 - May 26, 2016 Obituary In celebration of life eternal we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, Clifford Risley Jr. on May 26, 2016. He departed this world to join his soul mate and beloved wife, Berneice Christine Risley, who recently passed, on April 1st of this year. Cliff and Berneice were inseparable their entire 65 years together and now they unite to sustain life ever after. Born on January 16, 1925 as a miracle baby, he was the first cesarean birth in Hartford City and Blackford County IN (performed by Dr. Weary who read the specifics from a medical journal while he was doing the operation). Cliff was the child of Adam Clifford Carl Risley and Henrietta Jeannete (Tappy) Risley. He grew up with his older sisters, Esther and Marjorie, with small town values and morals that served him well throughout his entire life. He was a true man of God and was always our moral compass. Cliff enlisted to serve in WWII during his senior year of high school and went immediately upon graduation into officers candidate school for the Army Air Corps (the predecessor to the Air Force). He was a B-24 navigator and co-pilot, flew on 44 bombing missions, ultimately achieved the rank of Major, and continued his service in the Air Force Reserves for the next 20 years. After service Cliff earned his BS, and MS, in Mathematics at Ball State University in Indiana, he accepted a position at the Indiana State Board of Health and subsequently earned an MS in Chemistry at Purdue University. He later became research director of the Great Lakes Region Chicago Program Office and FWPCA which led him to pursue a doctorate in Bionucleonics at Purdue University ten years later. After completing his doctoral research, he was called back to Chicago before completing his orals to help found the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the direction of President Richard Nixon. He was largely responsible for the environmental cleanup and political protection of the Great Lakes, rescued from destruction after years of decimation. He moved his family to Brookfield, Illinois, became the Regional Director of the EPA, and remained there until he retired in 1985. Cliff and Berneice moved to Moorpark, California, in 2003 and resided three doors from his daughter and her family. Our father had many passions: flying his Cessna airplane, serving as church treasurer while heading nearly every committee for the United Methodist Church, singing in the church choir, serving as a Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, enjoying family vacations, camping, traveling abroad, motor homing, playing cards, participating in WWII reunions, Risley Family Association reunions, volunteering at Campus Canyon School reading program and joining the American Legion – almost always with Berneice at his side. Their love story touched and inspired all who had the pleasure of knowing them. His total devotion to Berneice throughout her entire 17 year battle with Alzheimers was a testament to his love, honor, and dedication. He tried to recover from his quadruple bypass surgery on March 1st for us, but her loss was too great. We loved him so much and will miss him dearly but we are happy that he is now in heaven with the love of his life. Clifford Risley Jr. is survived by his daughter, Cheryl "Cheri" Lynn Risley (husband Steve Bohnert), sons, Clifford Randall "Randy" Risley (wife Sue), and Bruce Paul Risley (wife Kathy), and grandchildren, Kristen Risley, Daniel Risley, Christine Bohnert, Kelsey Risley, and Benjamin Risley. A STORY BY —Stephanie Sumell, Moorpark Acorn, Moorpark, Ventura County, California on May 24, 2013 Clifford Risley, Moorpark As his B-24 descended into the steep canyon in what is now Taiwan, Moorpark resident Clifford Risley watched with fear as the three bombers before his were shot down by heavy ground fire. SECRECY— Helen Hartwe l l Crowell was 22 when she was hired as a secretary for scientists working on Americas top-secret effort to build the atomic bomb. SECRECY— Helen Hartwe l l Crowell was 22 when she was hired as a secretary for scientists working on Americas top-secret effort to build the atomic bomb. “It was scary,” said the WWII veteran, who was 19 at the time. “There was a mountain range on both sides (of the canyon), and the Japanese had it protected with aircraft guns at all altitudes.” Risley, now 88, was part of a 1944 mission to bomb a hydroelectric plant, one of the Japanese militarys primary sources of electricity. The fleet of bombers, despite the unrelenting assault of enemy fire, dove toward the plant and dropped their payloads of 10,000-pound bombs “We were under heavy fire,” said Risley, a navigator, who left active duty in 1945. “We got shot at, but not fatally. . . . I felt like God was protecting us.” The B-24s gradually gained altitude to climb out of the enemys range. It was but one of 44 missions Risley flew in World War II. Thankful to be alive, the Indiana native, who spent 17 years in the reserves, will join his fellow members of the American Legion during the American Legion Post 502’s Memorial Day service on Mon., May 27 in Moorpark. Monday is an important day, not just for veterans but for all Americans, said Jim Carpenter, the Moorpark post’s adjutant. “We need to honor the sacrifices made by the young men and women who put their lives on the line for our country.” Risley, a retired research director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, said his memories of the war remain fresh in his mind. “You live with it all of your life,” he said. “Every day something brings back memories.” The married father of three said he looks forward to catching up with other local veterans. “There’s a special bond between anybody who serves,” he said. “You feel like you’re brothers.” Last residence: Clifford Risley, Jr. 15295 MONROE AVE MOORPARK CA 93021-3219 https://goo.gl/maps/kdrX8iGK7i92

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