It is with a broken heart that I write this last Cliphoma post.
After an incredibly brave fight, Cliff passed away late last night. He was at home, with his family and his sister by his side, just as he wanted it.
I just want you all to know how much your love and support meant to Cliff. Sharing his journey on Cliphoma, and then reading your comments and responses, was like therapy to him.
The service will probably be on Sunday morning. We will post the exact time and place soon.
All our love,
Tracey, Tess, Jordie & Ben
Cliphoma 
I think of Cliff every now and then. He was a special person, and a special friend during my childhood. I hope his wife and children continue to draw strength from who he was, what he stood for, and what he accomplished in his all-too-short life. May his memory continue to serve as a blessing to his family and friends.
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Tracey, Tess, Jordie & Ben –
I wanted to express my sincerest condolences. I attended the memorial service on Sunday, which was truly a beautiful tribute to a great man. I met Cliff when I was hired at Ixia in 2004, and had the privilege of working with Cliff for many years. His transition from Engineering to Business Advisor was remarkable. His ability to provide sage advice that was supported by thoughtful and detailed analyses was unmatched. I will miss Cliff. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Brent
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I am so sorry for your loss. I am a friend of Cliff through technology and kept up with him through the years. Cliff was was one of the most thoughtful, considerate, and intelligent colleagues I have known. He has such a kind and gentle manner about him and quickly gains the respect of everyone he associates with. He made the world a better place and I am a better person for having known him.
With much love and respect,
Russ
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Our sincerest condolences and we are so very sorry for your loss. May Cliff’s memory always be a blessing. The Hannel family is in our thoughts and prayers, Colin & Stephanie Ullyott
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Dear Tracey, Tess, Jordie and Ben,
There simply are no words……Hearing the news I was completely caught off guard and all I could think of was all of you, Cliff’s courageous fight, and how powerless and small one can feel in a moment. His light shone so brightly and will continue to shine through each of you. After reading the last few entries on the blog, he was deeply aware of all of you and your feelings, that is clear. My wish for you is that you are able to move forward, as unimaginable as that seems and know that you are surrounded by so many who love and care about you.
Of course, if there is anything at all…..
Our deepest heartfelt condolences,
The Hardy Family
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Rest in peace Cliff
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So many here have said many comforting things, but I am finding the loss beyond words. So instead a few observations. Cliff was truly amazing. He overcame much to achieve so much in so many areas. His interest and concern about others however, was his most admirable quality. There were no casual interactions or perfunctory conversations with Cliff. His social and technical insights were always deep, accurate and relevant. His advice and guidance, helpful and spot on. I will miss him greatly but his memory will be a blessing. May the family find comfort among all the mourners in Zion.
Jay
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I got to meet Cliff during my interview at IXIA He was very technical working in VP capacity and a great asset for IXIA. He inspired many of us to do very best.
Our prayers & thoughts are with the entire family.
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Very sorry to hear of Cliff’s passing. Wishing all condolences to the Hannel family. It is never easy to lose a husband and a father. Cliff was a pleasure to work with at Ixia. He will be remembered by many. Celebrate his life!
Goodwill and God Bless your family,
Charles Seifert
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I had the privilege to work with Cliff in two companies: Internet Dynamics and Ixia. He has been an incredible mentor and inspiration to me and my family. I never forget how warm the family was when I was invited to his home. He cared so much for everyone who he associated with. He will be dearly missed!
With deepest condolences and love.
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We are so sorry for your loss of Cliff. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Condolences,
Karen and Herman Drees
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Tracey we are so sorry to hear of this – he was fighting this battle bravely – such a shame -the small bit of time we spent with him showed how full of life and energy he was. Doug
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Dear Tracey, family and friends,
I have known Cliff, of blessed memory, since our childhood. He almost always managed to beat me in chess (I do remember one memorable game, when I managed to win–or maybe it was a draw.)
His father, Mr Barry Hannel, of blessed memory, whose life was also tragically cut short in his prime, was himself an amazing individual. The beloved Mr. Hannel taught me and so many other students at Bialik Elementary School and Solomon Schechter High School in Brooklyn and high school students not only biology and science (he created a high school level course for me and a few others in 8th grade and encouraged us to take and pass the NY State Regents exam, which propelled me on my way into science and later into medicine.
Mr Hannel taught his students more than science. He taught us to love learning about how things work.
Cliff and I became fast friends after a chess game wherein I finally won, after innumerable defeats (a game he claimed as recently as a few weeks ago not to remember).
Together with Ira Bashkow (“Bashie,” as Cliff referred to him, even a few weeks ago, and now Professor Bashkow), Cliff and I would spend time with his dad, admiring his fancy new LED watch, polishing his Cadillac, going fishing, and just plain hanging out. His sister was also part of our lives..
Unfortunately, Cliff and his sister departed for Las Vegas in 6th grade, as I recall.
Cliff and I kept in contact with one another for a few years. I learned of some of his amazing accomplishments and was in awe of his brilliance even back then. It was a sure bet, even back then, that he would be very successful.
A letter of his, sent to me, was placed into our 8th grade elementary school yearbook, because we felt even then that Cliff was a part of our class.
A few years ago, another friend, Eliot Teitelbaum, contacted me online, and after having a “Whatever happened to—?” discussion, we found our former classmates and had a reunion–which Cliff, of course, was instrumental in coordinating.
Unfortunately, he could not attend in person, because he was in the midst of chemotherapy, but he graced us via a video presence. He was larger than life on the video screen we all watched as he joked with us and wished us a good time.
I had the privilege of spending a few hours with Cliff a few Sundays ago. He was not up to playing chess, even on his son’s prized set, and my set was missing a king. (I had brought a set similar to that his father used to teach his students how to play chess, but I did not bring a time clock as I could not locate one similar to the one Mr Hannel used to teach us that the game was time-limited.)
Alas, time has for Cliff finally run out, and the king of the Hannel clan is now missing.
Every week, in Jewish tradition we read a section of the Five Books of Moses. This week’s section is the last section of Genesis, wherein the patriarch of the family, Jacob, tells Pharoah that he lived a short and hard life, and then blesses his descendents. The generation of the patriarchs comes to an end, and the children, bereft of their beloved father, must go on.
Cliff certainly lived a short life, and he experienced hardships early on, which would have broken a lesser man.
With true grit and with the help of his life partner, Tracey (aka the love of his life), he built up not only businesses but a family of young men and a young lady who stand poised to carry on the mantle being thrust upon them.
His last words to me were sprinkled with praise of and pride in his family and their acconplishments, As I pulled away from his driveway, I saw one of his kids, in the garage, doing an experiment with some friends. A love of science, a love of life.
The mantle has been passed. Cliff now joins his dad in the heavenly realm deserved for people like them, who loved their family, friends, and students.
Tracey and kids, may you carry on with the blessings Cliff bestowed upon you.
God bless you all.
Love,
Leon
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Tracy and family,
Manley and I were so sorry to receive Walker’s phone call yesterday about Cliff’s passing. We were both privileged to work with Cliff from the beginning. I still remember his first day, we were having a company lunch and hadn’t yet built out all the space so we sat together on the empty floor of the conference room next to the kitchen area and had lunch together. He was so interesting, dynamic and animated, I was drawn to him immediately.
While we didn’t work in the same department, I got to interact with him plenty which was always passionate and fruitful. What an amazing mind, heart and soul.
It’s encouraging to see your beautiful family and how he will live on in his children and their successes. Many blessings to you.
With deepest condolences and love,
Mara and Manley Klassen
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Blessings of love and of peace to all whose lives have been touched by Cliff. And special thanks from me to those whose loving care helped Cliff to live such a very full life.
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Dear Tracey, Tess, Jordie and Ben,
I met Cliff 10 years ago when Walker introduced him to me.
I will never forget this amazing feeling I had when I met him! He was telling Walker that he gave a power point presentation to his kids!!! about how they should manage their lives and set objectives 🙂 I remeber I felt amazing small near him 🙂 and I felt so greatful to Walker for introducing me.
What a wonderful, shinning, full of energy person!
With a lot of emotion I read all of this blog last night and I felt so sad but in the same time so inspired by everything he wrote. He is an example for us all, and a lesson of how we should treasure life and family.
He will always live through our memories!
Roxana
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We are deeply sorry for your loss. Cliff was an inspiration to us for his courage and his incredible intelligence. I know that his children will carry on his legacy.
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Dear Tracey, Tess, Jordie and Ben,
We are so very sorry for your immeasurable loss. Cliff was such a vital force — brilliant and dynamic, and it’s apparent that his spirit is imbued in you all. We hope and pray that your grief will be tempered with peace. With love, Chris, Teresa, Michaela and Matthew
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Dear Tracy, I got information about Cliff few hours ago. It catch me off the guard. I wish I knew about his fight with lymphoma and I could spent time with Cliff. I know about Cliff’s roots and I want to bring poem from polish priest and poet ks. Jan Twardowski
“Let us hurry to love people they depart so quickly”
Let Us Hurry
Let us love people now they leave us so fast
The shoes remain empty and the phone rings on
What’s unimportant drags on like a cow
The meaningful sudden takes us by surprise
The silence that follows so normal it’s
Hideous like chastity born most simply from despair
When we think of someone who’s been taken from us.
Don’t be sure you have time for there’s no assurance
As all good fortune security deadens the senses
It comes simultaneously like pathos and humor
Like two passions not as strong as one
They leave fast grow silent like a thrush in July
Like a sound somewhat clumsy or a polite bow
To truly see they close their eyes
Though to be born is more of risk than to die
We love still too little and always too late.
Don’t write of it too often but write once and for all
And you’ll become like dolphin both gentle and strong.
Let us love people now they leave us so fast
And the ones who don’t leave won’t always return
And you never know while speaking of love
If the first one is last or the last one first.
Marek
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Cliff was like a candle, lighting the way for others. His presence in a room, being one of the brightest lights, was always evident. Light envelopes us, warms us, provides energy, and moves faster than – well, I’m sure Cliff could explain better than I. The only comforting thought I have right now is that I know his light will continue to shine brightly through all the people he loved. We miss you very much, Cliff.
Terri
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Tracey, Tess, Jordan & Ben,
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Cliff’s passing. We’ve lost somebody incredibly special and far too early.
Cliff and I had the pleasure of working together for six years at Ixia. He was one of the people who interviewed me and it was the beginning of a professional and personal relationship that I have always cherished. As others have also said, Cliff was one of the smartest people I’ve ever known – and that’s saying a lot. I consider him my mentor and he always had an interest in me, my family, and my career. Cliff was able to “see the path” and provide sage advice any time I would seek his counsel. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have achieved my own successes without Cliff helping from behind the scenes.
Cliff often talked about all of you. He couldn’t have been more proud of his children or more in love with his wife. I’ve gotten to know you largely through how Cliff spoke of you over the years from grade school, through high school and college, and even through the businesses you have created. Cliff always had stories about the adventures you shared together and the amazing things his kids had accomplished. You have a remarkable family and I was always touched by how Cliff spoke about you.
I have so many fond memories of Cliff and will miss him dearly. My sincerest condolences for your loss.
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My heart is broken to hear this news. I’m so sorry for your loss. Cliff was a strong man with a good heart and we will forever miss him. God bless you and your family.
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Love and hugs to you and the kids. I can not imagine what you are going through.
Love hugs and peace to you all.
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Like many others Cliff hired me away (or should I say toward) Ixia. I still remember my interview with him as it was yesterday. I walked away thinking I want to work where this guy works.
Jordan, after your internship with us, every time I chatted with your dad, he mentioned how proud he was of you and your accomplishments.
Thoughts and prayers to the Hannel family.
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Dear Jordie,
Sorry to hear about your loss. May Cliff’s soul rest in peace.
Sincere condolences.
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My very dear Tracey –
Cliff was the warmest and most giving person I’ve ever known. His amazing positive attitude toward life was something truly uplifting. His writing skills were such that I once threatened if he didn’t drop everything else and begin putting together one of the world’s greatest (I didn’t care if it was a novel, a document on anything, or a continuation of his diary) book I would divorce him.
I don’t think anybody who knew him will be able to forget him.
Much love to all of you.
Ernie
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Cliff’s brilliance was only matched by his passion for innovation. I had the chance to work and travel with Cliff years ago and soaked in as much as I could; a true privilege. Please accept our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts are prayers are with you.
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Jack and I feel like we have lost a son. Tracy we are sorry for your loss
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He has been an inspiration for far more than he knows and we’ll miss him dearly.
Sent from my iPad
>
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Dear Tracey
Lisa and I are so broken hearted by Cliff’s death. It is a loss that is sad and unfair. You and your children are brave and we wish we could ease your suffering.
Our hearts are with you,
Rose Lee
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Dear Tracey,
I am so very sad to hear about Cliff’s passing. Although I did not get the pleasure of working with him for very long – just getting to know him through discussions and his blog it was clear what a wonderful, smart and caring person he was. Reading his blog about your family and how he fought his illness was so inspiring. God bless you and your family. My prayers are with you all.
Sincerely, Bethany
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I am so sorry to hear this news. My deepest condolences to the family. He was always talking about you.
Cliff hired me at Ixia 9 years ago, and I learned a lot with him, not the least of which was how to balance work and life, which was so important to him.
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This is a note that I just sent to the company.
Hi Team,
It is the beginning of a new year and generally a time for celebration but it is with great sadness that I write this email to all of you. Last night after a long and very tough battle with a rare form of cancer Cliff passed away peacefully. His close family were all there with him. Cliff was the most dedicated husband, dad and friend that anyone could ever wish for. His family was always his number one priority and he sure has a family to be proud of – his eldest daughter recently graduated from Cal Poly, his middle son is close to graduating from Stanford and his youngest son is about to start college at Stanford. They are some of the nicest, smartest people you will ever meet. Cliff’s main worry throughout his illness was family and the stress that they were under because of his illness. He never complained about about himself at all. Whenever I spoke to Cliff I was always amazed by his positive attitude – he just wanted the best for his wife and kids and did not seem as concerned about his own well-being even though he was so ill.
Cliff joined Ixia when we had less than 200 employees and within in a relatively short time he became VP of Engineering. Cliff ran engineering for a few years and then transitioned to VP of Strategy and Business Development and was instrumental in many of our acquisitions. Cliff retired for a while and consulted for a number of companies before coming back to work at Ixia and then fell ill. Even through his illness he continued to work closely with us.
Cliff was without question one of the smartest people that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He was originally a mechanical engineer but he became an expert on communications, software, databases (he created many of the databases still in use today), market analysis, statistical analysis of sales trends, spreadsheets, project management, MRDs and many other subjects. If Cliff didn’t know about something – well just give him enough time to do some research and he would soon know just about all there is to know about the new topic. Cliff loved Ixia and loved working with the people at Ixia. He was almost always the first to see trends that none of us saw and if he could do a database or a spreadsheet for it then in a matter of hours or days there it would be – a complete report or analysis of this new topic. Those of you who worked with Cliff will know this well.
Team – as we enter this new year take some time to reflect on what is really important. Spend time with your loved ones and don’t take anything for granted. I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year.
I know that I will really miss Cliff and I am sure that those of you who knew him will really miss him too.
If you would like to send a note to the family or write something about Cliff then please write on the blog that Cliff created when he first became ill. http://cliphoma.org
Errol
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Dear Tracey, Tess, Jordie and Ben. What an incredible brave family you are. For Cliff to be able to see his children blossom into such accomplished young adults was a blessing. To be able to write about his illness with clarity via his blogs was so courageous. His passing is a huge loss. G-d will, the good memories will help you all through this terrible time. He was a good man as evidenced by all the friends that stayed in touch with him.
We send you our love and prayers. See you Sunday.
Wilma and Alan
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I am so sad to hear of this incredible loss. I love you all and will miss Cliff so much. He was a gift to this world and I am thankful to have had the privilege of being able to call him family.
All our love.
Abby, Daron, Will, Robert, and Bailey
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There are those who make such a deep impression upon you that they are never forgotten no matter the distance. Such was my relationship with Cliff.
Cliff played a significant role in my life when we were teens. As is typical after high school, we went our separate ways. Time passed, as it does, and for the past 35 years our lives touched briefly here and there.
I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Cliff will always be in my heart, and you all will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Cliff was so blessed to have all of you. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend. He left this world so loved and will be loved beyond.
Lori Chenin-Frankl
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May his memory be a blessing. Our hearts are with you.
Paul & Carrie
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I have been thinking about you, Cliff and the family so much lately…his last posts were truly a testimate as to what an amazing man Cliff was–not many can say even in their 80s what Cliff wrote about being at peace for providing for the family emotionally and financially and his pride in that the kids really knew him. Tracey, i am soo sorry. Love, Laurie
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I’m so very sorry to hear this sad news. Cliff was such an amazing brave man. God bless you during this bleak time.
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Our world has lost a bright star, we are so sad for your loss Tracy, and pray that his passage be filled with peace of soul. Please take good care of yourselves and each other, in his memory. with love Bonnie, Harry, Patrick and Jeremy
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My heart goes out to you and your family. Had it not been for Cliff’s initial outreach to his Bialik friends and classmates we would not have gained so much from being a part of his life,
May all your happy and fond memories be a source of great comfort to you and your family.
Elisa Kahn
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Dear Hannel Family,
I will miss Cliff so much. When Tracey first introduced him to the family, I remember being so impressed with him. He was brilliant, strong and so loving. We were pretty close back then and spent many hours talking on the phone – mostly about Tracey, of course! Then came the fun wedding, Tracey in Yolanda’s wedding gown, gorgeous and ecstatic, Cliff thrilled beyond words.
Three beautiful, smart children followed. Your lives were constantly peppered with travel and adventure.
I weep for our loss and celebrate the richness of your lives together.
All of our love,
Linda and Ernie
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Dear Tracey, Tess, Jordie and Ben, During the last year I was privileged to have visited with Cliff a few times and I quickly realized that a magnificent man was in our midst – so intelligent, so humble, so brave, so loving. My heart is heavy for your enormous loss. Pari sends her sincere condolences. Love, Bob
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The world is a lesser place without him. Cliff in every way was a Man. I will miss him tremendously, and cannot begin to feel the sorrow and heartache you now bear. See you Sunday. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.
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So sad to hear the news of Cliff’s passing. He was an incredible human being. He touched and inspired all of us. We were honored to call him our friend. May his memory be eternal. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hannel clan.
Love The Farkas Family
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I am so very sorry. The love is everywhere as is his spirit. Susan
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