Friends and family are mourning the loss of not only a very talented author and woodworker, but also a friend.

Roger W. Cliffe, an NIU technology professor, died on Aug. 31 at Kishwaukee Hospital.

Gary Lintereur, an associate professor for the department of technology, didn’t expect this to happen.

“I was probably one of Roger’s best friends,” he said. “We always got together and talked when we could. His wife and son and my wife and son went on vacation together.”

Dennis Miller of the DeKalb County coroners office said Cliffe suffered a massive heart attack while taking his routine bike ride.

“I worked with Roger for 12 years,” said James Stewart, an associate professor of technology. “He was a young man to all of us.”

Stewart said he not only helped students, but the faculty as well.

“I think he was the best teacher in the department,” Stewart said. “He helped me a lot with teaching.”

Cliffe also spent time with his friends and colleagues when he wasn’t at the university.

“Roger used to run an annual party in the spring semester,” Stewart said. “A lot of us went over there and we would have a great time. My wife said he was the most sociable person in the department.”

Lintereur remembers playing tennis with Cliffe and doing woodworking with him; however, he always took the time to work with students.

“He had a calender that he lived by because he was so busy, but if you needed something he would make the time,” Lintereur said. “With students, his time was their time.”

Stewart said Cliffe was a well-rounded person.

“He was quiet but forceful, people just liked him,” Stewart said. “He pretty much knew anything you could want to know about woodworking.”

Cliffe received a number of awards through the university including the Presidential Teaching Award. He also wrote a column, Homeshop Hints, for “Woodshop News.” However he was probably best known for his book, “Table Saw Techniques.”

Colleagues said they will remember Cliffe for a number of reasons, including what he taught them.

“Roger achieved many goals, and once he was done, he went on to another one,” Lintereur said. “If you set realistic goals and work at them you can achieve them.”

Earl Hansen, associate professor of technology, also knows he’ll carry with him what he knew of Cliffe.

“If you’re going to do something, do it right, and that’s what the students got from him as well,” he said.

Cliffe will be remembered through the amazing life he led and the people that he touched.

“He’s done so much for everyone. It’s a great loss,” Hansen said.