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MARQUETTE, MI – Loren Richard Clifford, 90, of Marquette, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 5, 2026, in his home with family and under the care of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
He was born January 4, 1936, in Detroit, MI, son of Leland and Maurine (Allanson) Clifford and lived on Mark Twain near Eight Mile. When he was 11 his family moved to the rural community of Farmington. He came of age connecting with nature and becoming a lifelong bird watcher. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1954.
Loren earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics and philosophy from Michigan State University. He was a graduate fellow in philosophy at Cornell. He changed his focus to physics and received a master's degree from the University of Michigan. Loren worked for North American Aviation in Redondo Beach, California before returning to Michigan and completing a PhD in Physics from Wayne State University. Loren and his family moved to California to teach Physics at Sacramento State University. In 1966, Loren returned home to Michigan and took a faculty position with Central Michigan University and helped create a new physics department. During his 35 year tenure at CMU, he served as chair of the department and continued his work in theoretical physics. He took sabbaticals and worked at the Savannah River National Laboratory and later partnered with the nuclear engineering faculty at the University of Michigan. Loren continued his lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
Loren and Mary moved to Marquette in 1992 to raise their two youngest daughters. He was an adjunct professor at NMU in the math department. Loren was a member of First Presbyterian Church for 34 years and played in the bell choir. He was a member of various Audubon Society's . He learned to fly at age 50 and flew a Piper Archer and was a member of APOA. He was a naturalist who found solace in the woods and birding. He will be remembered for his sense of humor. He was dearly loved by those who knew him well.
Loren is survived by his wife, Mary (Holmgren) Clifford, whom he married December 28, 1983 in Saginaw, MI; children, Catherine Clifford (Leonard Pollara) of North Port, MI, Christopher Clifford (Camille Bratkowski) of North Hollywood, CA, Emily White (Ali Kamal) of Ann Arbor, MI and Jane (Michael) Wagner of White Lake, MI; grandchildren, Maxim Born, Hanna, Zakaria and Noah Kamal, Isabel & Anna Wagner; brothers, Dan (Nancy) Clifford of Clarkston, MI and David Clifford of Farmington, MI; nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carrie Clifford; granddaughter, Angelina Born; and brothers, Tom & James Clifford.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 10am to 12 pm at First Presbyterian Church. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Andrew Poe, CLP and Pastor Natalie Handley will officiate, A reception luncheon will follow the service in the social hall.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com