Clinton Land

Clint Land passed away December 30, 2014 in the arms of his wife. Clint had been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare brain cancer hardly ever seen in adults, almost four years prior. He fought a long, hard battle, researching endlessly to have more time with his family, while still trying to live a good life. Taken at the too young age of 37, he leaves behind a heartbroken family who loved him to the moon.

Clint was born April 15, 1977 in Topeka, KS, the son of Jane Tilghman and Michael Land. He graduated from Topeka West High School in 1995, and then from the United States Air Force Academy in 1999 with a degree in Physics. He continued on to become a pilot and instructor pilot in the KC-135 refueling tanker, attaining the rank of Major. He served more deployments to the Middle East than his family would care to remember. During his career, he was stationed at McConnell AFB (Wichita, KS), Kadena AFB (Okinawa, Japan) and finally at Hickam AFB (Honolulu, HI) where his Air Force career ended with a medical retirement.

Clint married Leslie Su Hengst (of Dover, DE) on September 6, 2003. Their daughter, Sophie, his princess, was born in 2009. Clint loved nothing more than his family.

Clint loved to fly. He loved to learn, and to teach, whether it be to his friends and family, about the things for which he was passionate, to substitute teaching at Topeka Collegiate School, where the students adored him. He enjoyed building computers and creating programs and spreadsheets, playing mentally challenging video games and board games. Most of his family and friends had a hard time keeping up with his mind. He very much enjoyed lively conversations and debates, whether they were about politics and the need for small government, or environmental concerns or health issues. Many of his friends have expressed that now they will never win a debate with him. His strength and passion have inspired many.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie; daughter, Sophie; parents Jane (Richard) Tilghman and Michael (Sharon) Land; brother Adam (Tammy) Land; sisters, Kate Land, Susan Tilghman, Frankie Lizar; grandmother, Jean Washington; best friends, Shawn (Mandy) Berkley and James (Sara) Serra; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, both paternal grandparents, and cousin, Candra.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Mount Hope Cemetery Chapel at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends an hour before the service at 1:00pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sophie Jean Land Educational Fund, c/o Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd, Topeka, Kansas 66610.

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