Clifford J. Roggenbuck

Clifford John Roggenbuck, age 77, has put the tractor in the shed, the cattle in the barn and has gone home to enjoy his heavenly reward. Cliff was born in 1945 to Genevieve and Clarence Roggenbuck in Harbor Beach, Michigan. He was the second of their five children. He attended Red School and graduated from Our Lady of Lake Huron (OLLH) High School. Cliff was a lifetime farmer and a Huron County resident. He married the love of his life Carol Nickel in 1975, at Saint Anthony Catholic Church, Helena; they enjoyed 48 years of dancing, card playing, and a little bantering. They raised three wonderful children, Amanda Roggenbuck (Brian), of Unionville; Justin Faber, of Deckerville; and Clifford C. Roggenbuck (Amanda) of Port Hope. He enjoyed many years as a Papa to Gavin, Kyle, Parker, Gauge, Axle and Case. His dog Rose misses him dearly. Cliff loved and lived for farming, family, hunting, fishing, gardening, cooking and travel. His work ethic was second to none, and his green thumb ever present. Tending to his farm was one of the greatest joys of his life; in the hard and even the impossible years he kept faith in his heavenly Father; and with hard work and dedication he provided. He mentored friends and neighbors and had many “little brothers.” He was an avid polka dancer and spent many years dancing with Carol. He enjoyed his time on the Huron County Bean Board and the Michigan Bean Commission. He was an Ubly Lion’s Club Member and served as a Director for the club. He played euchre and pinochle with family and friends whenever the opportunity presented itself, and he was known for his word search marathons. He enjoyed teaching the next generations how to master many skills and tasks, his love for knowledge was evident in everything he did. Some of his happiest days were farming alongside his son C.C., continuing the family tradition. On a regular basis he could be found helping in Justin’s food trailer business. He spent countless hours with Amanda canning and preserving the harvest. He loved to plant and tend fruit trees and sweet corn every year and enjoyed many opening days in the “hunting shack,” with Parker. One of Papa’s favorite past times was picking stones and pulling weeds with the boys. He could often be found cutting wood in preparation for the upcoming winter. He was known as the “sweet corn guy,” for his years of sweet corn sales in Port Hope. He was always sharing fruits and vegetables with his friends and neighbors; on any given day you could find someone raiding the garden and picking fruit from the trees. He was well known for his bean soup but, perhaps he was most famous for his cheesy potatoes which were enjoyed over the years by thousands of people, and were always made with love and lots of butter. Cliff was a friend to all he met, and would go out of his way to help anyone. He loved the outdoors, and spending time with his animals, especially his cattle, cats, and dogs. He should be remembered for his enormous heart and the love he had for his family, farm, and friends. He enjoyed traveling extensively across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Alcan Highway to get to his favorite fishing spot in Kodiak, Alaska. He and Carol spent their winters in Florida, where he enjoyed walks with his dogs; golf cart rides with Carol and Parker; exploring the flea markets with family and friends; road trip with his kids throughout the state and great culinary experiences. As he entered the gates of heaven he was greeted by his parents Genevieve and Clarence; his mother and father-in-law Louise and Carl Nickel; and pets Monique, Squeak, Princess, and Justice. He is also survived by his siblings, Paul (Sandy), Regina (Larry), Marge (Gerry) and Frank (Sue); his sister-in-law Marsha Nickel; and lifetime family friend Irene Cole. As you reflect on your time of being blessed to know Cliff take a walk in the field; stop to watch the deer; feel the rain (and check the rain gauge); listen to the crops grow; always do what’s right, even when it’s really hard; love with all your heart; put in a hard day’s work; and, hug those you love every chance you get. A celebration of a life well lived will occur at Ramsey Funeral Home, Harbor Beach, Michigan, on Sunday, August 20, 2023, from 2:00 – 8:00 pm. Visitation will occur on Monday August 21, 2023, from 10:00 am until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Isidore (St. Mary’s) Catholic Church, 4190 S. Parisville Road. If you would like to make a memorial contribution in Cliff’s honor please consider the Clifford J. Roggenbuck Scholarship Fund or the Lions Club International Foundation. Memories can be shared at www.RamseyFH.com

Clifford J. Roggenbuck

November 19, 1945 - August 16, 2023