Dr. Dodge: Passion for Health

My brother, Cliff Dodge, was a guy everybody liked. People remembered him as a “great, fun guy,” even if it had been years since they last met. That was the kind of impact he had on people.

Yet Cliff had been a restless spirit until he went to Sioux City, Iowa on a work assignment. It was there that he met Sandie, the love of his life. Even after Cliff and Sandie had been married for twenty years, family and friends could not help but notice how deeply in love they were.

Cliff found work that he enjoyed when he was hired by the post office in Sioux City. His delivery route in the city meant walking miles each day, and he loved it. After he began his postal route, he lost thirty pounds, and he looked terrific. With his prematurely white hair and beard, he looked a lot like Kenny Rogers, and was often asked for his autograph.

Still, it was not for his looks that he was liked. He genuinely liked people, and his quick warm smile was engaging. Even if teasing or joking, he was never mean-spirited. He was always ready to lend a hand wherever there was a need. Not surprisingly, he had a wide network of friends.

Cliff turned 67 this past November. He could have retired, but he wanted to work until he and Sandie could retire together. Looking ahead to that day, they bought a home in Missouri so they would be able to live near Sandie’s daughter and son-in-law and two beloved grandchildren.

On Wednesday, December 9, Cliff had completed his mail deliveries, but was asked to complete another route. Being the guy that he was, Cliff said “Sure.” The day before, an early winter blizzard had dumped eight inches of snow across northern Iowa. The temperature was bitterly cold in Sioux City, and the biting wind made the cold even worse.

It was almost 5:00 PM when someone saw Cliff fall as if he had been struck by lightning. Within a few minutes, a nearby policeman began resuscitation measures, which were continued by the paramedics as they rushed him to the Emergency Department at St. Luke’s Hospital. In spite of excellent care over the next few days, Cliff never regained consciousness.

Throughout the vigil at the hospital, family members, co-workers, and friends shared special memories of him. Hundreds of people came to his funeral. People of all ages struggled with their emotions as they tried to cope with the loss of one so dearly loved.

The minister’s scripture reading explained why people felt so deeply: Love is kind, always ready to help. Love envies not. Love is never boastful, conceited or rude. Love is not selfish. Love bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. 

That was Clifford Dodge.