Clifford Murdock Schatzman

Clifford Schatzman Obituary Clifford Murdock Schatzman (fondly known as Cliff or Shots) began his life’s journey on August 16, 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the third of the four children born to the late Charles Carroll Schatzman, Sr. and Vivian L. (Walker) Schatzman. Early Saturday morning, April 16, 2022, Cliff quietly and peacefully finished his race, exchanged time for eternity, and went to be with His Lord. Cliff confessed Christ and was baptized, at 11 years of age, while attending Ebenezer Baptist Church in Pittsburgh. Shots attended Pittsburgh Public Schools and graduated in 1964 from Westinghouse High School. He was a starting member of the winning varsity football team, and took much joy in its intense competition and comradery. During these years Cliff was also a constant, willing companion of his father and/or uncle when they took on labor intensive projects like building houses or anything else. He experienced the joys of completing a job well done and developed skills, values and virtues he embodied the rest of his life. Following graduation Clifford enlisted in the United States Army for a four year term of service. After training and service stateside, Cliff was stationed in Taiwan in telecommunications. He was honorably discharged in 1968 and remained able to fluently recite the alphabet and numbers using Morse code all these years later! Cliff returned to Pittsburgh and worked several jobs, including one with Carnegie Mellon where he also completed some coursework. As a young groom, he married Lottie Patricia Givner (Pat) and from that union was born one son, Clifford Todd Schatzman. Clifford later entered into employment with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and began training as an Air Traffic Controller at the Cleveland En Route Center located in Oberlin, Ohio. Over his career, Cliff trained and mentored many Air Traffic Controllers, obtained numerous training certificates, commendations, and an award for “Outstanding Performance and Total Commitment to Excellence”. He worked diligently with the Great Lakes Region of the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees in their Recruitment Information Program to expose minority students to the career and the path to its opportunities. Cliff retired from the FAA on May 1, 1998 and was recognized for his 32 years of Federal Government Service by his friends and fellow members of Chapter 188 Federal Managers Association. A friend at the FAA led Cliff to meet and later marry, Denise Heisser, on June 14, 1980. They moved to Elyria, Ohio and over twelve years God blessed their union with two children, Aaron Clifford Schatzman and Tanya Renee Schatzman. The family joined the fellowship of Second Baptist Church while in Elyria. In 1992, while preparing to move to Cleveland Heights, Cliff was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, for him, a genetic heart disease. For the rest of his life Cliff faced and endured major health issues, including a heart transplant in 2003. Shortly after relocating, the family joined the fellowship and became members of Central Bible Baptist Church (CBBC). Clifford Murdock Schatzman was a man of God, as defined in I Timothy 6:11, who “Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness”. Let the life Cliff completed and the work Cliff has done speak for him. Cliff truly loved the Lord, his family, and his church family. He sang in the male chorus, was a consistent supporter and participant of the Men In Christ (MIC) ministry. Cliff served as a faithful and dedicated member of the Trustee Board for many years and as Chairman from 2012 to 2022. He consistently and avidly supported the Central Bible Baptist Church, body and leadership, anytime he could in any way he could. Shots had an optimistic and joyful zest for life. His enthusiasm led him to do whatever he did at the most intense levels he could. He loved to drive (especially “muscle cars”), and was known to drive from Oklahoma City to Pittsburgh and back, in a weekend, when in training for the FAA. He learned to ride a motorcycle in his mid to late thirties and became a “Harley-Davidson man” riding across the country with a few friends who, like him, believed you should “ride hard or go home”. His love of football and the Pittsburgh Steelers was no secret; he wore the emblem on as many garments as he could wherever he went…especially Cleveland. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, his elder sister Leonta, elder brother Charles Carrol, Jr. (Anna) and his son Clifford Todd (Mary). Cliff leaves to cherish his memories and celebrate his life his devoted wife of 42 years, Denise, with whom he shared “A Mighty Love”. Two children: Aaron Schatzman and Tanya Schatzman of Cleveland Heights, OH. Two grandsons: Todd Dante Griffin Schatzman of Pittsburgh, PA and Terrance Lamar Schatzman of Tarentum, PA. His Baby Brother: Steven Schatzman (Cassandra). Daughter-in-Law: Mary Evans Schatzman, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clifford Murdock Schatzman, please visit our floral store. Read More

Clifford Murdock Schatzman

August 16, 1946 - April 16, 2022