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| Obituaries:
09/01/2009
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Cliff Rich, age 97
 Clifford Cunningham Rich, an icon of Kenwood and the Sonoma Valley, passed away peacefully with family on his Kenwood farm on Aug. 24, 2009. Cliff was 97 years old. He was preceded in death last year by his wife of 72 years Del Rich. He is survived by his daughter Joan Lambert (Gregory), grandsons Ken (Jenny), Richard (Jessica) and great-grandchildren McKenna, Kendell, Eva, Lola, Gus and Lily. Cliff, a fourth generation Sonoma County farmer, was born in Windsor and moved with his family to their ranch on the corner of Lawndale Rd. and Highway 12 in 1919. For 90 years he raised French prunes, walnuts and Angus cattle on that land. Before the valley became known as a premier grape growing region, French prunes were the dominant crop in the area. During that period, Cliff was one of the larger growers in the valley, at times harvesting over 100 tons of fruit in a single season. Cliff was always known for helping his fellow neighbor. During WWII, he maintained a majority of the orchards in the Kenwood area while many fellow landowners were away at war. He would be seen driving his 1936 Caterpillar tractor throughout the valley from dawn to dusk. That tractor is still in impeccable condition, as Cliff kept it running to this very day. Cliff was one of the first members of the Kenwood Volunteer Fire Department. He served over 40 years with the department and retired at the age of 75 as Assistant Chief. His family could remember hundreds of times when Cliff would hear the Kenwood siren, jump off his tractor, and go to the aid of his neighbors. He loved hunting. From killing his first deer near the top of Mount Hood when he was nine years old to hunting into his late 90s, Cliff never missed a chance to spend time in the outdoors hunting or fishing. He would work long hours on the farm and still have the energy to hike the hills of Annadel and Mount Hood in search of game. Cliff’s thoughtfulness and kindness to others made an indelible impression on everyone he met, and he will be missed by all. At Cliff’s request, there will be a ceremony with immediate family on Cliff’s hunting ranch. If desired, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Kenwood Fireman’s Association, P.O. Box 249, Kenwood, CA 95452. |
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