Clifford “Cliff” Tye

October 1936 – December 8, 2020
Cliff was born and raised in WA where he graduated from Washington State University. While at WSU, he joined the Navy where he rose to the rank of Commander and flew anti-submarine aircraft. Cliff was a proud veteran and served for 4 years on active duty in the Pacific and 16 years in the Naval Reserves. After active duty, Cliff had a 30+ year railroad career that started with the Northern Pacific in Spokane and ended in retirement from BNSF in Superior, WI. Cliff married Dixie Schad in Spokane. While Cliff’s career moved them to various states across the country, they spent most of their time living in MN. They had two children, Doug Tye (Mara Lee) and Michelle Sheire (Marcus) and six grandchildren Emma, Kathleen, Ben, and Charlotte Tye, and Jackson and Zane Sheire. In retirement Cliff was always up for a new adventure and enjoyed golfing, skiing, traveling, walking, volunteering at church, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Cliff always gave people the benefit of the doubt and could be counted on to lend a helping hand. Cliff was preceded in death by his beloved Dixie, who passed away in May, his parents Bill and Velma Tye, and older brother Hal. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, and his younger brother Gary Tye. A private burial took place at Fort Snelling for Cliff and Dixie. A memorial will be planned at a later date.(Published in the Star Tribune on December 27, 2020)