Nick Van Cleve

January 29, 1956 - October 30, 2017

Nick Van Cleve, beloved husband, treasured father, and uncle to all, passed away in his sleep on Monday, October 30th at age 61. He is survived by his wife, Nan Goldberg, their daughter, Lillian Van Cleve, their foster daughter, Hadar Ahuvia, as well as his first wife Mary Lee (née) Thompson, and daughter Adrienne (née) Van Cleve.

He was born in Bend, Oregon, January 29th, 1956. He spent his censurable youth in Long Beach, CA. During those years, he was most often found in the encyclopedia section of the local public library on better days, or else on his self-crafted skateboard, haunting The Pike—Long Beach’s amusement park. Once he came of age, he chose to enlist immediately, which put all unruliness on hold.

Nick was a veteran of the United States Air Force, a former photographer, graphic designer, and animator, and eventually a retired meta-web designer. A self-educated savant, he engaged his time immersed in interests of an unmeasured variety. He was a collector of phrasebooks and travel guides, as well as assorted tomes of every -ology. Since retirement, he’d leapt from passion to passion as an adequate harmonica player, curious orchidist, avid decorator for all occasions, and more. Most recently, he’d become a student of fly fishing and Portuguese.

He amused, edified, or charmed anyone he met—it didn’t matter whether you were the butcher behind the counter at the local store or a most intimidating in-law. He never minced a word, and each utterance was a new opportunity for word play or a pun, with no topic immune from his wit or his irreverence. His humor was matched only by his strength of character and convictions.

He was stalwartly devoted to those he loved. He made their world a better place.

The family will not be holding any public services, but would appreciate any donation readers might care to make to Nick’s favorite cause and charity at www. charitywater.org in his honor.