Clifford Elton Randall, age 89, was born March 12, 1929 in Sayre, PA, son of Charles E. and Myrtle E. Randall of Waverly, NY; died April 20, 2018 in Lecanto, FL. He was a member of the United States Marine Corps and a Disabled American Veteran. He graduated summa cum laude from New York State College at Oswego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts (Phi Beta Kappa) and received New York State Teacher Certification from Syracuse University.
Clifford taught Industrial Arts at Cattaraugus and Arkport, NY and was a supervisor of student teachers at the State University College for Teachers at Buffalo. He was the transmission electron microscope teacher and technician at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and operated one of the world’s then most powerful electron microscopes. He also taught microscopy and was a recognized expert in sample preparation and petrography, inventing methods of examining sol-gel glass structure, and other nanostructures of materials from the 1960s through the 1980s.
A passionate teacher, Clifford was nominated for, and included in Who’s Who in American Colleges. He was loved by all of his students. Clifford also taught adult classes for the United States Power Squadron, as well as classes in Electronics at the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Electronics and boating, along with CB radio, were his hobbies. In past years, Clifford was also an active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and taught adult religious education. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Freemason.
When he moved to Florida in 1992 he became a member of the Rainbow Rivers Club. He was Treasurer and Vice President of the Cinnamon Ridge Community Association.
Clifford is survived by his wife Dorothy (nee Pirong), daughter Audrey (Robert Whiting); son James (Norma Ratliff); son John (Teresa Murphy); son Michael (Sara Elder); eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Homosassa Wildlife Park (www.friendshswp.org) and Hospice House of Lecanto (www.hospiceofcitrus.org). Arrangements are under the direction of the Chas E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, FL.
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