Cliff Gardner was one of those people you meet in life that makes you a better person and they show the rest of the world how a  person who is centered in community, family and friends can change the world.  I was lucky enough to have Cliff and Annette as my Godparents.  I have know them my whole life. Some of my earlier memories of Cliff were watching Cliff, Terry Cahill,  and my dad (Joe Stepan) riding around in a golf cart every year, setting up for the Hay Daze parade.  Cliff had his hands in a little bit of everything Janesville.  From Rotary, St Anns, Chamber events and all things Golden Bears.  I remember Cliff being at all JHS game.  Football, basketball, track, mens and women's.  Cliff was especially supportive of women's sports. I remember always seeing him in stands, often with a camera in his hand.  But my favorite memory and time spent with Cliff was when I was Miss Janesville and Cliff and the Miss Janesville court went from town to town on summer days to ride in parades in his beautiful convertible.  Cliff was always volunteering anywhere and everywhere needed. Cliff embodied Gandhi's  quote "Be the Change you wish to see in the world".  And Cliff (and Annette) certainly did change the world!  

I worked with Cliff Gardner many times over the years in Rotary, Knights of Columbus and Chamber to name a few organizations.  Many times I succeeded Cliff in jobs he held and he was my trainer.  He was a seriously detailed individual who cared deeply about his job as a volunteer in every  organization he was a member.  We called him "Mr. Rotary" for all he did as a charter member of the Janesville Rotary Club.  He ran the Youth Exchange program and was Treasurer of the club for many many years.  He was a member you could always count on being there and helping with any project.  He organized and ran the Chamber Janesville Hay Daze parade for many years as well as working with the carnival each year arranging the rides.  On top of all this he was very involved in the Janesville scholarship program and was seen at many athletic events over the years taking pictures of kids that he provided to the parents.  He is a very worthy inductee into the Hall of Fame!

Cliff Gardner was a very successful attorney who shared his talents with the community of Janesville. He was a generous man, who gave to so many in our small town. Events in a community don't just happen without hardworking people at the helm. He was born, raised and worked in Janesville, a town he loved dearly. Cliff was in charge of getting the carnival rides for Hay Daze, organizing the tickets, and driving Miss Janesville in his convertible to all the local cities' festivals.

Another program near and dear to his heart was the Rotary exchange program. He opened his home to many exchange students or found homes in the community. Cliff took his private time teaching many many kids to water ski, a sport he himself enjoyed. He would listen and counsel so many people who needed help with a smile on his face. Cliff was a caring and amazing man and friend to many. Anyone who met him is a better person for it.

I have so many fond memories of Cliff, many of them connected to Janesville Rotary. His love for God , his country , his family, and the Janesville community was amazing. I learned so much from Cliff about what matters in life, and especially about the joy and strength of small town life.

Cliff is more than worthy of this award. Growing up in Janesville, my parents had great faith in Cliff as their tax consultant and their attorney. This tradition continued for my husband and I as a young farm family as Cliff guided us in estate planning and countless other situations. When Steve passed away suddenly, I have to say that Cliff was one of my “heroes “ that lovingly guided me through a very tough time in my life. I will always be forever grateful to him!

I will also always remember Cliff as a pillar of our town!! He did so much with the Rotary, our foreign exchange program, and countless philanthropic contributions and projects. In his quiet, loving, and  humble manner Cliff touched and made a difference in the lives of many people 

I had the pleasure of having Cliff as a Rotary Dad. My Dad died the beginning of my senior year and Cliff encouraged my dream of applying to be an exchange student. He drove me to the interview as well as to the classes to prepare. He kept in touch my year abroad also and picked me up from the airport when I returned home Hay Daze weekend.

 I at one point sometime later had trouble with my mental health and Cliff stepped in and helped me. Through the years when I'd see him he always had time to speak and always had a kind word.

Cliff truly was one of a kind. Our community was truly blessed. He truly was a role model to many in  Janesville and to many Rotary students throughout the world. 

Thank you Annette, Susan, Kathy, and Danny for sharing  your husband and Dad with all of us!

I have so many fond memories from my time in Janesville back in 1989 as a Rotary exchange student from New Zealand. Rotary exchange students were allocated a councillor during their time away and I was very fortunate to have Cliff as mine. The many times he would pick me up in his huge station wagon and take me water skiing and snow skiing are just some of the examples of his generosity. Im now a father & grandfather and looking back as a 17 year old boy away from his family I remember myself as a reasonably good kid but there were times I needed good advice and support and Cliff was always there for me. 

I am forever grateful and appreciative of his support during my time in Minnesota. A truly great man and one that Janesville should be proud of. Thanks Cliff ❤️.