El Dorado Adventist School





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Remembering Cliffton Anderson
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Memorial Service:
Friday, August 21, 2009
1:00 p.m.
Placerville Seventh-day Adventist Church
6831 Mother Lode Drive
Placerville, CA 95667
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Cards and flowers can be sent to:
6831 Mother Lode Drive
Placerville, CA 95667
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It was with great sadness that we received the news of the loss of another beloved teacher at El Dorado Adventist School. Cliffton Anderson, EAS science and history teacher, died early Thursday morning, August 13. While it has been reported that Anderson suffered from the H1N1 virus, the El Dorado County Public Health Services Department confirmed in a written statement that Anderson did NOT have the H1N1 virus.

His loss has stunned his colleagues at EAS, where he taught last school year, and his former coworkers at Bakersfield Adventist Academy, where he taught for the 17 years prior, three years of that as assistant principal. Teachers and staff at both schools describe a man of energy, commitment and passion.

“Whatever Cliff did, he was passionate about it,” said Bakersfield Academy Registrar Cathie Gullett. “The kids were his passion. Every year he would tell his wife Melody, ‘We have lots of kids.’”

Anderson graduated from Pacific Union College in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, a topic he loved to share with his students. “He loved science and he loved sharing that science,” said Keila Butler, who has taught at Bakersfield Academy for 12 years. However, her first memory of him was his dedication to his students. “His students came first . . . that was his passion.”

Even though he only taught at EAS for one year, his commitment to his students was already clear. “He devoted endless hours before and after class, at lunchtime, to spend extra time with the kids,” said Marilyn Anderson (no relation), EAS teacher.

Larry Ballew, EAS principal, who met with the school staff upon hearing the news on Thursday morning, also spoke of the same dedication. “He showed up at everything, all kinds of school events, even the ones that didn’t include his students.”

At Bakersfield, Anderson taught all four children of Beverly Phillips, now a teacher there. She remembers being very surprised by a telephone call from Anderson, who phoned to tell her how much he appreciated having her children in his classroom.

“He was the only teacher who ever called me to tell me when my kids were doing things well,” she said. “He was very busy and to connect like that impressed me very much.”

Anderson will be remembered for his engaging personality. “He had good interpersonal skills and was a very friendly man,” said Vern Biloff, Central California Conference vice president for education. “He was the kind of guy that everybody liked.”

His personality also resonated with students. “He had an infectious laugh—a ready laugh—that the kids connected to,” said Randy Norton, EAS teacher.

His colleagues also remember his talents for gardening and how much he loved to sing and play the piano. They chuckled when they remembered his fondness for colorful knitted scarves and funny ties.

“You couldn’t spend fifteen minutes talking to him without his unique laughter. He was a people person,” said Kevin Rhamie, Sr., Bakersfield Southside Adventist church pastor, where Anderson served as head elder for four years. 

Although he was lighthearted, he took his responsibilities seriously. “He used his teaching gift to teach individuals how to lead, how to organize themselves, and how to plan. He had the mission of the church at heart,” said Rhamie.

Anderson brought this mission into the classroom, as well. “He started class with a prayer, and he liked to sing and play the piano in class,” said EAS Registrar Sheryl Hicks.

“He was a godly man who loved the Lord supremely. He had a very strong faith,” said Bonne Daggett, EAS administrative assistant.

 “He wanted his students to know Jesus,” said Bakersfield Academy teacher Marie Jordan, who taught with Anderson for 17 years. “When we had activities with students, he was the first one there. If they were in trouble, he would talk with them and encourage them.”

Two Adventist communities are mourning for Anderson, but those who knew him are grateful that he was part of their lives.

“He was a veteran teacher who in one year had already made an impact on the Placerville community,” said NCC Education Superintendent Berit von Pohle.

“He is going to be missed desperately,” said Phillips.

In remembering Anderson, faculty at EAS emphasized what a wonderful person he was. “We are so thankful that God sent him to us, even if for only one year,” said Ballew. “He entered our hearts fully from the time he arrived and leaves a huge empty space.”