"Craig and I were good mates at UW Madison and we played 2-3 years of rugby together. You know what Craig was like around you right. Well image what he was like when he was surrounded by guys exactly like him! Man we had some fun. One time we all went to some individuals house, and the party was pretty mellow, so he and I (not sure whose idea it was) raided the fridge, grabbed some salad dressing and proceeded to eat all the house plants in the apartment!
As we got older we became wiser and slightly mellower. I was younger than him, and looked up to him. He helped me straighten out my life.
I am 53 now, married for 23 years and have 3 kids. In 2007 or 2008, we all got together back at Chuck Bilow's house, in Washington State. We had Barry coming from New Zealand, Joe coming from Australia, me from Annapolis, George from Wisconsin, John Keaton from San Francisco (who else???). It was three days of bliss. We picked up like we hadn't been apart.
Don't know if you all know this but Craig likes to wrestle. So he and I were tackling each other and doing rugby stuff like we were kids again. He is strong. He caught me across the jaw, and at the time i thought it was just another rugby bruise. After I got on the plane to come home I reached into the back of my mouth and pulled out a loose tooth. At least I have something to remember him by, a $1,200 cap.
Seriously Craig had the greatest laugh, I hear it right now. I miss the big guy. Not even sure what happened there at the end, but i can say with absolute certainty, what ever happen, Craig had his loved ones best interest way ahead of his own. It was so good to meet you and your daughter Rebecca. To Rebecca, his mom and dad, his kids, his work mates, and to his friends, I am so sorry for your loss. I miss him too.
I am going to spend some time and reading some of the posts listed below, and remember him. God's Peace to my mate Craig. "Klyv-eye"
If your ever in Annapolis MD, please look me up and we will go for a sail. Any friend of Craig is a friend of mine."
In loving memory of
Craig S. Klyve
July 10, 1957 - October 23, 2009
Craig Klyve, our beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend, who is cherished by all who knew him, died far too early when he unexpectedly took his life on Friday, October 23, 2009. To those who knew and loved him, Craig was joyful, nurturing, playful, honest, devoted and hard-working. He loved to be active outdoors and laugh with his family and friends. He would break out in song and dance at any given moment and jump around with his "doggers" and "kitters". He took care of everyone. Craig was born on July 10, 1957 in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to Stanley and Cordell Klyve as the fifth of seven children. The family later moved to Madison, where Craig attended the public schools and graduated from Madison West High School in 1975. He attended Cathage College and, later, got his Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Madison. Upon graduation, he taught history at Belleville High School. After a short teaching stint, he began his law enforcement career with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. In 1985, he transferred to the Department of Justice. There, he rose to become a director in the Department of Justice Division of Narcotics Enforcement, now part of the Division of Criminal Investigation. He most recently served as the Director of the Bureau of Investigative Services within DOJ. Craig was also a graduate of the 99th Class of the National FBI Academy. In 2002, Craig met Rebecca Weise, whom he married in 2006. Everyone who knew them knew that Rebecca was the love of his life. And he, hers. As a couple, Rebecca and Craig were inseparable. They enjoyed every moment of time they had together as a couple and with their family. As a couple, they particularly enjoyed camping and traveling. Craig was a devoted father and step father. He was always there to support the girls as they grew from young children to young women. Craig was preceded in death by his mother, Cordell, and a daughter, Heather. Craig is survived by his wife, Rebecca, his daughters, Sara Hernandez (Juan), Jenna Klyve and Kessa Klyve, his step-daughters, Emma Weise and Audrey Weise-Nelson, his father, Stanley (Susan), his siblings, Cynthia Lester, Charmian Klyve (Henry), Claudia Klyve, Camilla Klyve, Candace Carrier and Corwin Klyve, grandchildren, Juan Carlos Hernandez-Klyve and Orlando Hernandez-Klyve, as well as many nieces, nephews and scads of friends worldwide, from Monona to Australia. A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7118 Old Sauk Rd., Madison, WI. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at ADVENT LUTHERAL CHURCH, with Visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Tributes
"Craig you have been missed by all of your family these 3.5 yrs.... But now the man you admired most has come to join. Your daughters and now 3 grandson's will have 2 grandpa's watching over them. You will always be missed. Sue"
" As one of Craig Klyve's siblings, I (Camilla Klyve) wanted to take a moment on behalf of my family to thank everyone who was able to attend Craig's memorial visitations and service and for all your support during this difficult time. As some of you may know, Craig and I were very close siblings. He was my rock and a strong father figure to my children and the best man I have ever known. Because of the important role he played in my life and my children, Skye, Ingrid, Dakota, Sierra and Storm, we, wrote this tribute to Craig that was to be read at his funeral. Unfortunately, the minister declined to read this because he felt the service had run too long. Craig's daughters, my siblings, and children all felt we should have the opportunity to share our message with all of you. Therefore, I have attached our tribute to Craig below in an effort to once again communicate how much we adored, respected and loved Craig, as a brother, son, father, and uncle. Love is not an easy feeling to put into words, nor is loyalty, trust, or joy. Yet, Craig epitomized all of these. He was and solid and generous man whose compassion and fervor for life gave strength and joy to us all. He saw wrong and tried to right it, saw pain and tried to heal it, saw a problem and tried to solve it. He freely gave his love and laughter to those around him. Although he left us too soon, we are here today to celebrate and remember the incredible person he was and the life that he led. As a child, Craig was introduced into the Klyve clan as "Craigy-boy" - the first-born son. He was a determined little boy who even at a young age knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. In second grade, he wrote an essay about this very subject and initially stated he wanted to become a preacher just like his father, Stanley Klyve. His father received this news well, but after some time passed this essay began to bother Craig. One day he approached his father and asked if he had to be a preacher. His father told Craig he could be whatever he wanted to be. Craig was relieved and said, "Great, I want to be a policeman." He fulfilled his childhood dream by working in law enforcement for over 20 years. He also fulfilled his dream of becoming like his father, Stan, in that he too grew into a man full of dignity and great compassion. Family meant so much to Craig. The most cherished things in his life were his three daughters, Sarah, Jenna, and Kessa. He loved them more than could ever be put into words. They were his greatest gifts. His smile was never brighter, his heart never more whole than when he was with, or spoke of, his daughters, and later his grandchildren, Juan Carlos and Orlando. He will carry them with him, always. As many of you know, he also considered his friends and colleagues as part of his family. His wholeheartedness and unselfishness made him the best friend, coworker, brother, father and husband anyone could ever ask for. He made time for those who needed him. If your weight was too heavy, he would carry it; if your heart was empty, he would fill it. In short, Craig was a better man than most of us could ever hope to be, and we will miss him every moment of every day. In all of our busy lives, we give very little thought to this passage of time. However, as we gather today, we are painfully aware of how precious life is and how often we take it for granted. Now, more than ever, we need to make time for what we hold most dear in our lives. Time is a treasure. It should be invested in wisely and given willingly to those who matter most. Craig made the most of his time while with us, and we should follow his example and be careful not to take any moment for granted. Many of us would trade all our tomorrows for just one more yesterday with Craig. To sit down with him, look him in the eye and tell him that we love him, that we are so proud of him, and that our lives are indescribably better because of him. Unfortunately, we ran out of time, so we must whisper these words to him in our hearts and know that he hears us. To say that Craig will be missed does not begin to encompass the depth of this loss. He gave us strength in time of trouble, wisdom in time of uncertainty, and brought joy to every gathering. He has meant so much to so many, and even more to my family and myself more than words can ever begin to explain. Now, in return for all that he gave us, we have to get up and continue on. We have to strive to be as compassionate as Craig was; to treat others the way that he would have; to stand up for what is right; to smile and laugh often. Craig always made the effort, and always found the time for others. Now we need to continue his legacy by making that extra effort in our own lives; by opening our hearts to others and thereby make the world and better place for all of those around us. He is counting on us to do so. Those of us, who loved Craig and put him to rest today, we know that he will always be by our side. We love you, Craig, and thank you for all that you have given to us. You will never cease to be a bright light in our lives. "
"Craig was a great worker, but his true love and priority was his daughters and grandson's. Craig put his daughter's before everything -THEY were and will always be the'"Love of his life".Craig rushed home from work to play with them and at 5:30 Dad was their playmate. Rough housing on the floor, riding on his back, reading to them and he always made tucking them in at night very special. There is not enough space to tell the stories of Craig and his girl's. Pictures and memories are what they have left at this most horrible time for them. His grandson will miss the camping trips,but now grandpa is his angel that watch's him--even when he looks to the sky and talks to him. Craig was one amazing father, my daughters where blessed to have him and all that he taught them will live on."
"We at the NLECTC-Northeast are deeply saddned by Craig's passing. He was a great guy and truely loved his family and work. Craig was admired by all of the Law Enforcment & Corrections practitioners on this advisory council. Having known Craig for the past 15 years, please know that he has left us with a piece of him, he was a one of a kind guy. He will be greatly missed. "
"I am so very sorry for your loss. It's so incredibly hard to come to terms with, and understand, when someone decides to take their own life. Just know, that there was nothing that anyone could have done to stop him. I know that sounds easy for me to say, but I've experienced loss in this way. I've had to learn to cherish the many good memories I've had with the loved ones I've lost. And, it sounds like there were many of those with Craig. It takes a lot of time to heal, so be patient with yourselves. My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to all of you."
"On behalf of the employees of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation please accept our condolences on the passing of Craig. Craig worked with members of our agency in the implementation of our new case management system and was described as always a gentleman, willing to share information and a loyal and dedicated law enforcement officer. His passing is not only a loss to his family, friends and the state of Wisconsin but a loss to Law Enforcement nationwide....REB Robert E. Blecha Director Kansas Bureau of Investigation "
"Rebecca, and family, Our hearts go out to you at this sad time, we know that there no words to ease your pain, but you are in our prayers. Cindy Bloczynski, Scott and Katrina Pittsley"
"I knew Craig from contacts at law enforcement meetings. He was always upbeat and a joy to be around. My prayers are with his family and those who loved him."
"I met Craig when we were part of the first group that was trained to open the Wisconsin Resource Center, in the fall of 1982. That seems like SUCH a long time ago! I guess it really was! But in talking with another co-worker today, Joe Pontillo also remarked that Craig was the kind of guy that EVERYBODY liked and got along with. If I remember correctly, his dad was a Lutheran minister and a WWII tailgunner. In talking years later with some camping friends from Appleton, come to find out, Craig's dad was the Pastor at their church when they lived in Madison--talk about a small world! My condolences to Craig's whole family-he will be greatly missed by his friends, and former co-workers! Mark B. Nelezen"
"Rebecca and Family, Mine and my family's heart-felt prayers during these very difficult times. Words cannot express how much Craig will be missed in all our lives! He was the most kind, intelligent, and caring person. He influenced others without ever acknowledging (or even realizing) it. His supportive positive attitude and laughter will be sorely missed! Rahul Bhaskar, PhD Professor, California State University - Fullerton Information Systems and Decision Sciences, Fullerton, California "
"I worked with Craig and I always appreciated that regardless of the circumstances of our work, he was pleasant, professional, and an all around nice man. I am so sorry for the loss your family and the community has experienced."
"I'm sooooo sad.......sending my biggest hugs to all of you!!! with deepest regrets....Diane Tartamella"
"I am very sorry to all who are grieving the great loss of Craig. He was a tremendous law enforcement professional who was always very helpful to his brothers and sisters in the law enforcement family. He will be greatly missed. Chief Ken Manthey Portage Police Department"
"I am deeply saddened that we lost Craig. So unexpected, I just don't know what to think. It is not real to me yet. I know our family is strong and we can get through this. My regards to his family and everyone who knew him. He was truly a great soul. Rest in peace my friend."