Inspiring at 91

BY JACQUE GENOVESE

As creative director Sean and I sat down to lunch with Clifford Lowell of Seward, Nebraska, we had no idea how entertained we would be.

At 91-years-old, Cliff’s recall of his life was expressed in such vivid detail. No doubt his years as a teacher and love for writing were the building blocks for his autobiography, The Early Years, and we wanted to learn more.

Born in 1930 in Buffalo County, Nebraska, Cliff grew up on a farm near Kearney. One of seven children, his father farmed the land; his mother was a teacher and a big influence on his love for reading and teaching.

He entered the US Air Force in July, 1951, ending his summer college session a few days early to serve in the Korean Conflict.

After serving for four years, and over the next seven years, Cliff would marry, earn a B.A. in Education, and attain his M.A. in Administration.

“I started teaching in the same rural school that I attended when I was younger,” Cliff said. “I had 13 pupils. It was the best year of my life.” He taught in two rural schools in 1940-51 and 1949-50. Cliff went on to teach at various schools, grades K-8, and also served as an elementary principal. In 1993, Cliff retired from education but still worked part time for a local church for six more years.

Here are a few “cliff notes” (pun intended).

When did you first start writing?

C: As early as the first grade. Once I learned to read, I started writing.

What writers were you influenced by?

C: Among books I enjoyed as a child were Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and Little Men, and Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Why did you decide to write The Early Years?

C: My reason for writing The Early Years, which covers my life from 1930-1951 when I entered the Air Force (plus information on my parents and family prior to my birth), was that I wished I knew more about my parents’ and grandparents’ lives. So I decided to leave a legacy of my own early life for future generations.

What is one thing you learned while researching your family’s history?

C: Through genealogy, my cousin traced our lineage back to Bristol, England 19 years after the Mayflower came to America. One of our American ancestors went to England with a plan to buy a cotton milling machine, but they wouldn’t sell him one. He made drawings and measurements of one so he could replicate one in Massachusetts. He did this so the Southerners could send cotton up north rather than to England to have it made into cloth. By doing so, he helped start the Industrial Revolution.

When you were stationed in England during the war, was there a moment that stood out?

C: I arrived in England in November, 1953. I believe Queen Elizabeth was crowned in June, 1953. A friend told me a story of two American soldiers who were watching the coronation procession. One of them went to put out his cigarette on the sidewalk but it landed in the shoulder bag of the woman in front of him. Smoke was coming from the bag and as he was trying very carefully to get it out, she felt a tug on her bag and thought she was being robbed. But once he explained the situation, she was fine. The same two men continued to follow the two girls. When the girls couldn’t lose the guys, one of the girls turned to her friend and said, “Hey, let’s just try to have a good time with these two Yanks, and then we will never see them again.” The best part is that there were two marriages that came from that encounter of those four people. I became friends with one of the couples and played for her and her husband’s wedding.

How are you enjoying retirement?

C: I like staying busy. I sang with the Kearney Barbershoppers for 12 years before I moved to Seward to be closer to my daughter. There, I joined the KiTones. Visiting retirement homes, singing, giving presentations, playing cards at the Senior Center, and spending time with family and friends all keep me quite active.

Teaching, family, volunteering at his church, and more have kept Cliff fulfilled all these years. To read The Early Years, check out a book at the Seward Memorial Library, the Kearney Public Library, or read excerpts in the 55+ magazine.

Thank you, Cliff, for inspiring us to keep doing what we love, and to share our stories with others!