WEST CHAZY – Clifford F. Engelhardt (AKA: Cliff/Skip) of West Chazy passed away at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh on Thursday, February 15, 2024.  He was 92 years old.

Mr. Engelhardt was born in Manchester, NH on November 13, 1931.  He was the youngest of four sons of parents Franklin R. and Marion (Morrison) Engelhardt.

Clifford graduated from Manchester (NH) High School West and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951.  He was was stationed at the 811th Air Base Group Headquarters (SAC) in Albany, GA as a Classification Specialist.  He worked in Communications as well, monitoring and sending Morse Code to stations around the world.  Clifford separated from the USAF in 1955 with National Defense Service and Good Conduct Medals.

He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in Durham in 1959 where he majored in "the arts".  He obtained a Masters Degree at SUNY Plattsburgh some time later while teaching High School Art at Beekmantown Central School in Beekmantown, NY.

Prior to relocating to his teaching job at Beekmantown, Clifford worked for the Town of Durham, NH highway department, relocated to design knives for the Russel Harrington knife factory in Southbridge, MA., and eventually was employed as the village potter at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA.

He met Nancy C. Snow through his brother Frank while playing Bridge with Nancy's parents in Southbridge, MA.  Both Nancy and Cliff were employed at the Russel Harrington knife factory around that time. They married in Southbridge on May 27, 1961.

Clifford was a certified hypnotist and often demonstrated his skills to various audiences throughout the years.  He also helped many people referred to him for hypnotherapy.

Clifford also was a member of the American Society of Dowsers. He assisted those looking for good sources of water and those searching for lost objects and unmarked grave sites.  He also frequently demonstrated his skills in dowsing for hidden objects during school special activities.

Mr. Engelhardt was a gymnast through most of his early and mid life.   He claimed to have set a NH state high jump record while attending school.   He loved working on the trampoline and often dressed as a clown while doing that for school events at Beekmantown Central School.  He instructed gymnastics for Beekmantown students during many of his 25 years there.

Clifford studied massage therapy and Applied Kinesiology during the 80's.  He often was sought-out by friends and their referrals to alleviate their pains and other maladies.

Clifford also was very knowledgeable on the healing properties of local plants and made salves out of them that often worked for friends when modern medicines wouldn't.

He was an accomplished artist that produced many cherished pieces of pottery throughout the years, as well as silver and semi-precious stone jewelry, woodworked designs, and paintings.  Many of his students at Beekmantown Central School became accomplished artists in their own rights.

Clifford's wife Nancy has been a horse lover ever since childhood.  Her first horse died of cancer prior to her marrying Clifford.  Their first son was a Morgan Stallion named Eben, whom they bought during their honeymoon.  They purchased a farm in West Chazy around 1963 that they named Catnip Acres.  They raised and trained numerous horses throughout the years.   They also raised milk goats, hogs, chickens, rabbits, geese, and other critters.

Clifford and Nancy became friends with several other equine enthusiasts in the area and realized around 1968 that there was a need for a business to supply horse supplies at a decent price.  They opened Skip-Nan Leathercraft/Tack Shop about 56 years ago.  They sold to customers throughout the north county and southern Quebec, who traveled to their place in "the middle of nowhere" to buy their tack and other equine supplies.  Clifford and Nancy also made halters, bridles, and harnesses as well as other leather items.  Clifford became adept at making and repairing all things leather.  He had customers from throughout the northeast seek him out to repair their harnesses and other items.

Ruth Newberry, of Lake Placid, asked Clifford to set up a temporary repair shop at her very first hunter/jumper show in Lake Placid back in the 70's.  Clifford and Nancy also brought a large amount of tack supplies and set-up in one of Newberry's large tents throughout the two-week show.  They returned to the "largest in the western hemisphere" shows for several years afterwards at her request.

Clifford and Nancy belonged to the Keeseville Riding and Driving Club in Keeseville, NY for many years during the 60's and 70's.  They helped build the riding ring and announcing stand there and often judged and announced at shows.  They also belonged to the local "Pony Club".

Some time during Clifford's earlier years, he ran a Boy Scout camp in Georgia.  In later years, he and Nancy were active in Clinton County, NY 4-H as a leaders. He also helped judge exhibits during the Clinton County Fair, both for 4-H and other organizations with fair exhibits.

Clifford, Nancy, and several of their friends helped found the Champlain Valley Morgan Horse Association in 1986.  They assisted in planning and running horse shows for many years at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Plattsburgh, NY.

Clifford and Nancy began taking square dance lessons in 1976 with the Northern Lights Square Dance Club in Chazy, NY.  They later joined the North Country Squares in Plattsburgh as well.  They continued their love of square dancing for the next 43 years, often dancing two to three times a week until NY COVID shutdowns in 2019.  They traveled to square dances throughout New York, New England, and Quebec.

Clifford, Nancy, their children, and grandchildren also loved producing a small amount of maple syrup at their farm every spring to give to friends and family.  When their son Jim retired from his career, they were instrumental in helping him, his wife Martha, and several grandchildren run lines throughout their sugarbush for an expanded operation.  They rarely missed being around the sugarhouse when boiling-down sap and loved to sample the product.

Survivors include wife Nancy, son Clifford James of West Chazy (wife Martha), and daughter Marcia Caroline (Engelhardt) Blow (address unknown).

Clifford and Nancy have grandchildren Nicole (Blow) Bouyea (husband Justin), Caren (Blow) Rivers (husband Michael), Davin Blow,  Miguel Engelhardt (wife Erin), Maira Engelhart-Gonyea (husband Derek), Adrian Engelhardt (significant other: Shelby Gonyo), and nine great-grandchildren.

Clifford was predeceased by his parents and brothers Franklin, Alson, and Leonard Engelhardt.

Calling hours will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, NY.  A funeral service will follow at noon in the funeral home chapel.  A get-together and light meal is planned for after the service at the North Country Squares square dance hall at 80 Fairground Road in Plattsburgh.

To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit:  www.rwwalkerfh.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.