OBITUARIES
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A 45-year resident of Greenville, he was born March 29, 1918, to Alfred E. and Sarah ROBBINS RACKLIFFE in East Orange, N.J., where he spent his school years. A youthful interest in building model airplanes led to studies at Casey Jones School of Aeronautics in Newark, N.J., after graduation from East Orange High School in 1934.

His first job was in Buffalo, N.Y., in the loft of Curtis Wright Corp. Two years later he went to Bell Aircraft at Niagara Falls, N. Y., where he stayed throughout World War II. RACKLIFFE was pleased to do his share for the war by working on the famous War Hawk, Airacobra, Airaconda fighter planes, the first jet-propelled fighter and the first supersonic jet -- the Bell X1.

During his first working years, he spent most weekends on horseback as a guide for trail rides at Ellicott Creek Riding Academy. He began both stamp and coin collections and resumed model building, now railroads. These interests developed over the years into elaborate collections that filled many of his off-work hours and gave him great satisfaction.

On April 12, 1941, he married Dorothy Evelyn BOMMER in United Methodist Church of Kenmore, N.Y., where she and her family had been members for 20 years. Their first son, Gary Adams RACKLIFFE, was born May 5, 1944. A second son, Lee Whitney, was born Dec. 31, 1946, but was promoted to glory very soon on March 20, 1947. On Sept. 15, 1947, the RACKLIFFEs were again blessed to be able to adopt a son, Craig Whitney RACKLIFFE.

David was a member of the Masonic Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks of Buffalo and traveled with the teaching/debating team. He also participated in Toastmasters Club.

In 1947 he moved his family to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he changed to refrigeration engineering and helped design the trailer-home ice boxes and refrigerators in demand after the war. While there, he was an active member of the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers and the Elks Club. Twice he was convinced to display his seldom-seen humorous side by participating in belly dancing and ballet scenes in variety shows to benefit the March of Dimes.

In 1954 the RACKLIFFES moved to Greenville where he was employed by Ranney Refrigerator Co. for 15 years. The RACKLIFFES soon joined the community theater group, and Dave was impressive as Jonathan in "Arsenic and Old Lace." Last year he again joined the cast, but this time as one of the dead bodies from the cellar for the curtain call.

A Boy Scout in his school years, he got back into Scouting as his sons became old enough. From 1958 to 1964 he was activities chairman for Troop 130 at First Congregational Church and then for the district committee. One memory shared recently with Max Ellsworth is the time they spent laying out the first Klondike Derby for area Scouts at Colby Ranch. It was such a long course they had to borrow a transit to get it right.

In 1969, RACKLIFFE went from Ranney Refrigerator Co. to Kelvinator in grand Rapids. Three years later, that division of WCI was moved to the Greenville plant.

At the age of 40, in 1958, David fell in love with skiing. His son's Scoutmaster, Norm Brown, led the boys into it. Dave got tired of sitting in the lodge waiting, so he tried the slopes and was immediately hooked. He later went through the training and became a member of the National Ski Patrol. He patrolled at Brady Hills near Lakeview and was patrol leader from 1971 to 1980. After Brady's closed he moved to Crystal Mountain. During the 15 years he was in this service, he not only patrolled all around Southwest Michigan, but also several places in the Rockies and New England. The biggest thrill was being invited to join the U.S. Army Patrol at Berchtesgaden, Germany, for a day.

The first granddaughter was born in Heidelberg, Germany, in January of 1968. During a three-week visit there, Dave added a love of the Alps to skiing. When he was planning his retirement, he wanted a one-year adventure in Europe, in the Alps, skiing every month of the year. In October 1984, the RACKLIFFES moved to Bludenz, Austria. It was soon apparent that one year was not long enough, and the adventure extended to two and a half years.

Back in Greenville, the RACKLIFFES purchased a van and trailer to tour the U.S.A. They took a ski trip through New England and Canada, a loop down through Florida and a Caribbean cruise. Within five months, the RACKLIFFES decided they needed more Europe time, but their plans to return in early 1988 were delayed.

After 13 years as minister of First Presbyterian Church of Blue Rapids, Kan., the Rev. Craig RACKLIFFE accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of Superior, Neb. He was installed on Jan. 11, 1988. Six days later, Craig died of a massive heart attack.

The RACKLIFFES returned to their old apartment in Bludenz, Austria, to enjoy another five and a half years in Europe. During nearly 10 years abroad, the RACKLIFFES concentrated mainly on learning about Austria and Southern Germany but managed to get to many other countries.

Austrian living was a wondrous experience for the RACKLIFFES, but when they decided in July of 1993 to return to America, they only considered Greenville -- home -- where they had lived for 30 years.

Since their return David has been an active member of First Congregational Church, Lions Club and Naomi Lewis Bridge Tournaments.

David is survived by his wife, Dorothy; one son and two daughters-in-law, Gary and Lucye RACKLIFFE, of Grand Rapids, Sherbette RACKLIFFE BERMEL of Grand Island, Neb.; five grandchildren, Mary CRANDELL, of Seattle, Wash., Elizabeth of Clawson, John of Kansas City, Kan., Joshua and Jodi Anne of Lincoln, Neb.; and one great-grandson, Christopher of Kansas City, Kan.

The celebration of David's life will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Greenville, corner of Cass and Clay Streets, with the Rev. Jerry Jones and David's family sharing their thoughts. At David's wish, his ashes will be spread in his beloved Austrian Alps in August.

Please join the family at Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville, Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to the David A. Rackliffe Memorial Fund at First Congregational Church.
Contributed by Linda Johnston