Rising above the challenges of a parentless childhood at the tender age of 10, Clifford relied on the support of his devoted sisters, who nurtured him and his late brother Llweyn, through the hardships they faced together.

These early trials fuelled his willpower to excel, a determination that shone brightly during his time (1959 - 1960) at the Victoria Institution Kuala Lumpur and eventually earned him a lifechanging opportunity to pursue higher education at Universiti Malaya, thanks to the generosity of an individual whose kindness altered the trajectory of his life.

With a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics, he embarked on a dedicated journey of public service, joining the Administrative and Diplomatic Service of the Civil Service in 1964. This initial step marked the beginning of a career that would see him ascend the ranks to reach the coveted position of Secretary General of the Treasury in the Ministry of Finance (MOF), a post he held from 1975 to 1997. Despite his impressive rise, he remained true to his humble origins, embodying humility, respect, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Tan Sri later obtained a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, USA.

Dedicated to doing what is right

Colleagues who worked alongside him in the MOF described him as someone who always made time for everyone, no matter their ranking, treating them with dignity and respect.

His only daughter, Cherilyn Noelle said, "I was told anyone who knocked on his door, seeking favours, was seeking it from the wrong person. Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remembers him as a 'good public officer' dedicated to serving his country and doing the right thing, even when no one was looking. My father's strong principles deeply resonate with me. He often told me, "No matter the choices you make, you should always be able to sleep well on them". I remain ever so proud of my father for his accomplishments and many life lessons."

In a posting on Istana Negara's Facebook page, Their Majesties also expressed their sadness over Clifford's death and hoped that the family would be patient and persevere in facing this moment of grief.

"Their Majesties appreciate the service, deeds and contribution he made to the country," the posting read.

Significant contributions

Among his most significant contributions was his instrumental role as the Chairman of Kuala International Airport Berhad, overseeing the construction of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) from 1994 to 2000. This ambitious project, delivered on time and within budget, on June 27, 1998, showcased his dedication to serving Malaysia and its citizens. This achievement, however, was only one of many in a career marked by selflessness and impact.

"My mother, Puan Sri Coleen, fondly remembers how my father would finish work by 5.00pm, set off to KLIA while it was under construction, to check on the airport entirely till 9.00pm," shared Cherilyn.

During Tan Sri's tenure in the civil service, he was appointed as Alternate Governor to the World Bank, was instrumental in establishing the Securities Commission, and chaired the Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pencen.

In an article by The Star a few years ago, Tan Sri said, "I believe I served the Ministry to the best of my ability and earned the respect of the government and society. It took me 33 years to achieve success based on good, hard, and honest work and a firm commitment and dedication to serving the nation. This journey to success was not easy, as it depended not only on myself but also on the cooperation and goodwill of others. The road to success is often a slippery slope and requires all the qualities of an endurance race. There may be many pitfalls some of which may be beyond one's control.

"I consider my awards and titles a responsibility, not a privilege. My wife shares this view and we have been careful not to misuse our titles. As my wife and I do not come from families with business interests, it has been easier for us to have impressed our family members to exercise due care and responsibility."

After retiring from the civil service, he remained a force to be reckoned with in the private sector, assuming pivotal roles such as Executive Chairman of Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad (PNMB), Vice-President of the FIDE Forum and the National Economic Association, various boards of RHB, AmBank, Chairman of Moet Hennessy, and Genting.

Involvement in charities, associations

Despite being kept busy with his commitments, he remained dedicated to supporting various charities and organisations including being the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Montfort Boys Town for 19 years (1995 - 2014), and a Trustee of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). He was also involved in the Malaysian Economic Association, the La Salle Foundation, and the Yayasan Nanyang Press. He was a loyal Rotarian, forming many friendships and he was the dedicated Santa Claus of the Rotary Club of Damansara.

Montfort Boys Town director, Bro Robin Devasagayam said, "Tan Sri, as he was fondly called, was an expert advisor in the overall running of the institution. He supported all of Montfort's activities and made it a point to attend our functions. His presence was always affectionately felt.

"Tan Sri was also very influential in Montfort's correspondences with the Government departments and ministries as he always had our students at heart. He prioritised the needs of the socially and economically disadvantaged youth in our care, as well as the well-being of the Brothers, Sisters, and staff.

"He will always be remembered for his kind and humble nature, and his memory will live forever in our hearts."

On his Alma Mater's (Victoria Institution) 125th Anniversary Celebration Page on Facebook, Tan Sri was quoted as saying, when asked why he was involved in so many companies and associations, "According to my calculations, I am occupied for about 120 days in a year. I find this manageable and it keeps me occupied physically and intellectually. This is important to me as it would not be healthy to be idle.

"I subscribe to the principle that if I am invited to sit on a board or committee, I must have the time to perform and make a contribution. So far, I have been able to do this. As a company director, I am assessed for performance every year and so far, the assessments have been positive."

Devoted family man

Reflecting on his legacy, Cherilyn shared that his dedication to his work was only surpassed by his devotion to his family. Despite the demands of his commitments, he always put his loved ones first.

"Whilst my dad led an illustrious career admired by many, it was a hard life for him, growing up parentless. As such, he often taught me about life by sharing values he upheld very strongly. Growing up, he always impressed upon me the importance of maintaining his reputation. I only fully comprehended and realised much later in life, that my father worked tirelessly to serve his government, the Prime Minister, the King, and the nation, Malaysia. As such, in the civil service, many knew him as a man of integrity and dignity. He earned the respect of his government through his diligence and commitment, executing his duties with finesse and dedication," said Cherilyn.

As the memory of Tan Sri Clifford Francis Herbert lives on in the corridors of KLIA and in the hearts of those he touched, the legacy of this distinguished civil servant continues to inspire generations to come. His life, marked by resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to duty, serves as a guiding light for all who aspire to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

"Reflecting on his legacy, Cherilyn shared that his dedication to his work was only surpassed by his devotion to his family. Despite the demands of his commitments, he always put his loved ones first.

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