David Sliff, Son & Rennaisance man: 1994 - 2017

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 10 Jan 2018 9:42 am

As a few of you know, our 23 year old son David Sliff ended his life on January 30, 2017. He'd struggled with depression for several years and it was finally too much for him - although there will never be clear answers.

All "he was my son so I'll load this with flowery praise" stuff aside, he really did "live more" in his 23 years than most do in in a long, full lifetime. He was an active kid that was frustratingly good (frustrating for his parents and try-to-keep-up older siblings!)at everything he tried - a skateboarder, surfer, baseball pitcher/cleanup hitter, basketball player; later an artist through photography (digital and film - mostly black & white) & writing, skydiver, snowboarder, rock climber and on and on.

He was also a genius (yeah, a real one) - a straight-A's physics major in college (that several professors told us months ago was the smartest student they'd ever had) that used to tutor classmates in earlier years; also a gourmet cook & coffee expert. He wasn't a stereotypical " math geek" - David made friends instantly and had a roflmao sense of humor. He was gay - not flamboyantly so, it was just who he was.

And he was a musician. A really good musician. He had his own NAMM badge courtesy of Fender from age eight He played mostly 6-string (usually in a two-handed tapping jazz/progressive rock style), but also drums, bass, ukulele, saxophone, slide and a bit of pedal steel (unfortunately subjected to the terrors of my 1950's Fenders...). He never played a gig but left a wealth of recordings, most made with his best friend/music partner Christian Martinsons.

It almost seemed he could have lived in the 1500's hanging out with the likes of Leonardo DaVinci....

This article in the Hermosa Beach Easy Reader News by Ryan McDonald is an excellent overview of our son. His mother Kathy, our daughter/David's big sister Morgan and our older son/big brother Mike appreciate everyone's condolences and support.

David wasn't spiritual but did believe everything was comprised of energy that never ceased to exist. As he would probably say, David's energy has just changed to a state that is "less orderly"....

https://www.easyreadernews.com/world-di ... liff-obit/

And there's a "perpetual" obituary here written by big sister Morgan Sliff:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/d ... =187778791

Playing my POS Chinese electric 12-string while trying not to laugh....

Skydiving with brother Mike (former recording engineer and now an ER nurse studying to become a nurse anesthetist) and mom Kathy (ICU Nurse)

At NAMM - age 9 - with friends (seriously) Skunk Baxter (Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan) and Bob Warford (The Everly Brothers, Linda Ronstadt)

Hitting a double-

With big sister/pro surfer Morgan. Our kids obviously take after their mother, not me!

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 10 Jan 2018 10:26 am

Thank you so much for posting that.
I cannot imagine life without our son or daughter...and don't want to try.

My condolences.

John Norris · Post by **John Norris** » 10 Jan 2018 12:11 pm

My heartfelt condolences, Jim.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 10 Jan 2018 12:41 pm

My deepest condolences, Jim. He accomplished much and sounds like a wonderful son and human being. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 10 Jan 2018 12:52 pm

My condolences Jim,

Sounds like an amazing son, I have one who is 22 and daughter 20, and it's a tough world to grow up in today. With tears in my eyes, I wish you and your family the best and cherish the great memories that you have of him.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Jan 2018 6:09 pm

Iâ€™m so sorry, Jim. My deepest condolences to the Sliff family.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 10 Jan 2018 7:24 pm

My heartfelt condolences, Jim. So sorry for your loss.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 10 Jan 2018 8:10 pm

My condolences to you and your family, Jim. So sorry to hear of this.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 10 Jan 2018 8:50 pm

Jim, I'm so sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences to you and your family and friends.

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 10 Jan 2018 9:03 pm

Jim, my sincere condolences. Losing a son is unimaginable.

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 10 Jan 2018 9:05 pm

Jim,
Thanks for sharing David's story with us in such a beautiful way...So sorry for your loss...My condolences to you and your family.
Paul

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 10 Jan 2018 9:44 pm

My condolences Jim. Nobody should ever have to bury their child.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 11 Jan 2018 2:35 am

Jim, I can not imagine the pain of your loss. My condolences.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 11 Jan 2018 3:18 am

So sorry to hear of this, Jim. Hang in there. My condolences to all family and friends of David.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 11 Jan 2018 4:22 am

You have my sympathy, Jim. I was in the same position with my son, and there's not an abundance of rhyme or reason.
But of course, we just don't know.
That was a fine article, long enough to get something of David's life; what a smile, sitting by Baxter.
Thanks for including it for us. Your own obituary of David was good, with photos of a beautiful family. Beautiful boy.

Gary Cosden · Post by **Gary Cosden** » 11 Jan 2018 5:35 am

What an impressive, beautiful, and touching tribute to your son's life. I'm sorry for your loss.

Andrew Roblin · Post by **Andrew Roblin** » 11 Jan 2018 6:29 am

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jim. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 11 Jan 2018 6:48 am

I'm so sorry, Jim. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into the life of your remarkable son.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 11 Jan 2018 2:13 pm

Please accept deepest condolences, Jim. I can understand your loss, since I lost a son in an accident before his 8th birthday.

C. E.

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 11 Jan 2018 2:29 pm

Jim,
So tragic. I cannot begin to imagine the pain you & your family must be going through. My deepest sympathies.

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 12 Jan 2018 1:01 pm

So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful young man.
My condolences to you and your family.

GB

Mike Wheeler · Post by **Mike Wheeler** » 12 Jan 2018 2:32 pm

Jim, I'm very sorry to hear of your son. He must have been a great joy in your life. My heart aches for you and your family. I hope happy memories can ease the pain, my friend.

Douglas Schuch · Post by **Douglas Schuch** » 12 Jan 2018 2:54 pm

Jim, so sorry to read of your loss. Platitudes no doubt seem shallow, but if the saying "It's not the years in your life, but the life in your years," it sounds like he led quite the life. I also appreciate your honesty about his depression. There is so little we know about this illness, yet often it seems to take the brightest. I wish you and your family strength and love in this time of loss.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 12 Jan 2018 3:10 pm

I have one of those kids myself. I worried constantly about his depression. I think super smart and talented kids feel isolated much of the time. I feel so deeply your pain. It could have been mine and the loss of a child is the worst pain that no parent should ever have to endure. You never recover, but you try and survive.

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 12 Jan 2018 8:15 pm

You and your family are in our thoughts, Jim.