Clifford Arthur Bornschein

Clifford Bornschein was born April 30, 1922 to Robert and Elizabeth Bornschein. He grew up with his parents and two older siblings in San Bernardino, California. His father was a welder for the railroad and thus began Cliff’s lifelong passion with trains and the railroad. After graduating from High School and attending community college as a Chemistry major, he enlisted in the Navy. He served in the Navy for four years as a radio/radar specialist during WWII. He then started working for Autonetics, a division of American Rockwell Corporation, where he would fulfill a 40 plus year career as an Electrical Engineer. I remember as a child when asked what my father did for a living, I would respond that he was an engineer, but he didn’t drive a train. At the time, my only concept of an Engineer was someone who drove a steam locomotive.

In 1957, Cliff was introduced to Rosalia Mauch (or better known as Zatz) at a New Year’s Eve party by Rosalia’s sister Lorraine. Zatz was visiting her sister Lorraine who lived on the same street as Cliff in Garden Grove. After a long distance courtship they married in October 1957. Zatz was living in Palo Alto, California at the time and Cliff remarked that the 9-hour drive each way on weekends was wearing him out. They were married for 44 years when Zatz passed away in 2001.

In April 1959, Cheryl Elizabeth was born to Cliff and Zatz. Some of my fondest memories of my years growing up were the family vacations and camping trips. We made several trips through the years to visit Zatz’s relatives who owned family farms in Minnesota. Those were the classic road trips, each time taking a different route so we could visit different National Parks and sites along the way. In my pre-teens we bought a pick-up truck and a camper and camped all over from the Eastern Sierra mountains of Mammoth Lakes to the Death Valley desert. Cliff’s love of the outdoors and camping rooted back to his earlier days when he and his older brother, Robert had a jeep and went backpacking and mining. I am not sure my Mother always shared our enthusiasm for camping, but she was always a good sport. For several years we took mini-bikes on our trips and enjoyed exploring all the backroads on two wheels instead of two feet.

After Cheryl graduated from high school, Cliff and Zatz enjoyed more civilized travel with hotels and restaurants throughout Europe, Mexico and Hawaii. I think much to my Mother’s great relief.

After Cliff retired from Rockwell International, he kept active with his extensive garage workshop and his passion for model railroads. As a member of the Orange County Model Engineers Club he became involved in building and operating the 7 ½" gauge railroad at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa. Officially known as Mackerel Flats and Goat Hill Junction Railroad there were over 5 miles of actual tracks winding through the park. The club had 6 engines and over 45 bench cars for the public to ride. He took great enjoyment from his years working with the club and all the close friendships he made.

In his later years Cliff discovered the internet and was hooked! He was always amazed by the never-ending amount of information available at his fingertips. In 2012 he sold the house in Garden Grove and moved to a Senior Living community in Laguna Woods to be closer to his daughter, Cheryl. He passed away at the age of 100 years.

- Cheryl Eaton (Bornschein)