Roll Call Tribute

Clifford W. "Cliff" Spaeth 

October 1, 1943 - February 15, 2026 

Clifford W. "Cliff" Spaeth, age 82, died at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas, on February 15, 2026. He passed peacefully with his family by his side after a brave 6 1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Cliff was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, on October 1, 1943, to Otto and Martha (Becker) Spaeth. He was raised on his family's sheep ranch in Doss, Texas. He graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1962. Cliff met Karen Geistweidt, also from Doss, early in his childhood. They married on August 29, 1964, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Doss.

Cliff graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Agriculture Education in 1966 and an M.S. in Animal Science Meats in 1967. During this time, Kristen was born.

After a brief time working at the Kansas State University Experiment Station in Colby, Kansas, the family moved to Manhattan where Kendra was born. Cliff earned his doctorate at K-State in 1974. He spent his entire career working in teaching, research, and extension in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State.

He coached award winning wool judging teams, took three international sabbaticals, and made a lasting impression on many students, staff and faculty members in the ASI Department. He retired from K-State in 2007.

The Spaeth family was an active Riley County 4-H family for many years. Cliff helped create a market lamb family cooperative, so College Hill 4-H'ers who lived within the city limits could participate in owning and caring for market lambs. Cliff helped with the Riley County 4-H Market Lamb program long after Kristen and Kendra had aged out of 4-H.

Cliff loved spending time with his family. He rarely missed a sporting event, recital or any opportunity to cheer on his grandkids. He loved K-State football games, even in the notso- popular years to be a fan. He enjoyed spending time at his property in northern Riley County. He also loved bow hunting and fishing, especially with his kids and grandkids. He made many trips to Northern Saskatchewan with family and friends to fish for Northern Pike and Walleye. Cliff and Karen were life-long bridge players, and in his retirement, Cliff played hearts with fellow ASI retirees in Weber Hall almost every day. Their couples bridge group of 50+ years and the other ASI families became their chosen family in Kansas.

Cliff was an active member of First Lutheran Church for over 40 years and was also a member of the Manhattan Optimist Club and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE).

Cliff is survived by his wife, Karen, of the home, his daughters, Kristen (Dave) Dreiling of Manhattan and Kendra (Mac) Lewison of Manhattan, his grandchildren Tyler Dreiling of Manhattan, Morgan (Ben) Rankin of Olsburg, Kansas, and Lane and Owen Lewison of Manhattan, his greatgrandchildren, Otto and Eleanora Rankin of Olsburg. Cliff is also survived by two sisters, Sylvia Lochte of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Doris Dahl of Clifton, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Leon Spaeth of Doss, Texas.

The visitation took place from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M., Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home.

The memorial service was held at 11 A.M., Friday, February 20, 2026, at the First Lutheran Church in Manhattan.