Clifton Maloney Dead: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's Husband Dies While Climbing In Tibet

NEW YORK (AP) The husband of U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney has died on a mountain climbing expedition in the Himalayas, aides to the congresswoman said Saturday.

Clifton Maloney, a millionaire investment banker and avid climber, was resting in a high-altitude camp after a successful ascent to the summit of the world's sixth-highest mountain when he died.

He was 71, a late age for such a grueling endeavor, but had been in excellent health, aides said.

"I am told that his last words were, 'I am the happiest man in the world. I just climbed a beautiful mountain,'" said Barry Nolan, a congressional aide who works with Carolyn Maloney.

Rep. Maloney, a Democrat, was "very shaken" by the death, he said.

Arrangements were still being made Saturday to recover the body from the slopes of Cho Oyu, a 26,906-foot peak that straddles the border of Nepal and Tibet.

Maloney reached the summit with a professional climbing partner and guide, Marty Schmidt, on Friday, or Thursday night Eastern Daylight Time. They rested overnight at a camp at about 23,000 feet.

Maloney died unexpectedly the next day after going to sleep in his tent, Nolan said. The cause of death was unclear, he said.

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Nolan wasn't sure whether Maloney was on the Nepalese or Tibetan side of the mountain.

Maloney was a former vice president of Goldman Sachs who made millions of dollars in investment banking and real estate after establishing his own financial firm, C.H.W. Maloney & Co. He was a director of several companies, including The Wall Street Fund Inc. and Interpool Limited.

A Navy veteran and graduate of Princeton College and Harvard Business School, Maloney also was a seasoned athlete and adventurer. A publicist for the family released a biographical statement saying Maloney had completed the New York City Marathon 20 times and was the oldest man to reach the summit of Cho Oyu.

The family was informed of his death by the Department of State early Saturday.

Carolyn and Clifton Maloney married in 1976. He is survived by his two daughters, his mother, his sister and nine nieces and nephews.

Comments

[MikeHermit]

What a wonderful way to go.

I hope when my time comes it is after an extraordinarily wonderful experience too.

[LMPE]

Why would anyone go hiking up there?

[JJK]

I'll leave it to those who know more about such matters to observe whether climbing mountains at high altitudes is wise or unwise for a 71 year old guy with family members whose lives would be hurt badly by his death.

That said, what a way to go! He was doing something he loved and was testing his limits. A lot better than slipping and falling in the shower some morning, IMHO.

May God rest his soul and may his family find peace.

[BlackYowe]

Dying far from home on a cold mountain without your spouce close sounds horrific to me.

[MikeHermit]

Then why even go there in the first place if you need your spouse tied to your hip for every breath of your life?

He climbed a mountain. Had great joy, and passed on. I don't think, in his sleep, he had worries or concerns about dieing alone.

be more concerned about those who don't have health care, dieing, feeling alone, knowing that if they had millions they would not be dieing. Worry about transients who life off the street, many with mental health issues, many who die alone, with no family to mourn their passing. Don't worry about a millionare who passes peacefully after a wonderful experience.

[max]

he made it, great way to go out....good job, we're all going out one day

[carnegie]

My personal experience with Rep. Maloney: she is the best; a wise and compassionate woman and leader. I can imagine the man she chose to share her life with was special as well. My deepest condolences to her and the family.

[mistlesuede]

You are in my thoughts Representative Maloney. I was shocked when I saw the news on the bottom of the screen on CNN. So sorry.

[ObjectiveReality]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Rep. Maloney. So sorry to hear of your loss...

[BlackYowe]

71 and climbing mountains in Tibet. This does not sound wise to me at all.

[kinvore]

Better than playing shuffleboard. He sounds to me like someone who lived life to the fullest, all the way to the end.

[linux]

Stay away from any sharp objects... you could get hurt

[BlackYowe]

In good shape at 71 means there is good reason he could have lived another 10 to 15 years. High altitude climbing is risky for even the young. I think its ego that sends people up these mountains and its very sad Clifton's widow will now live out her days alone. He was an investment banker but he did not invest well.

[brooklyncitizen]

Leaving your house is also unwise.

[JhNyc]

Even staying home is fraught with risk. Bathing can be deadly.

[ManWithBrain]

Really? It sounds friggin' brilliant to me, if you can do it.
The guy apparently had a good family life, made millions, and enjoyed life to the fullest. And you cast apersions on how he chose to live that life? If he were my father, I could not have been more proud of him.
I guess he should have shuffled around in his bath slippers until he died in a completely feeble state...would that have been better for you?

[advancingthelaw]

As a Tibetan Buddhist, we are not supposed to comment on being Tibetan Buddhists. However, most of the people in the group I belong to would say, that a the death in Tibet, after climbing a sacred mountain there, is most auspicious, most fortunate, or other wise in western colloquial language, a good way to go.

It is always sad to hear of someone dying unexpectedly.

[pfc1369]

Eastern superstitions are in no way superior to Western superstitions, though many in the West think they are.

[FHTB]

Yes, let's leave such mumbo jumbo behind and offer condolences to Ms. Maloney and her family...very sad.

[carnegie]

Actually many Eastern philosophies ARE superior to Western ideas( like your arrogant attitude) which reflects a VERY "Western" way of perception and relating.

[bluejoni2525]

My deepest condolences to the family and to the Congresswoman. May you and yours find peace.

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

So sorry for your lost. You and your family will be in my prayers.

[Mohd Ashaari]

i read good story here...so sorry for your lost carolyn

http://news.limauais.com/clifton-maloney-dead-carolyn-maloneys-husband-dies-while-climbing-in-tibet/

[mcmutter]

so sorry to hear of your loss

[dutch163]

I just received this email from congresswoman maloney's office

"Clifton H. W. Maloney, beloved husband of Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, passed away on September 25th on Cho Oyu Mountain in China. He had reached the 27,000 foot summit--near the roof of the world--on September 24th and had safely descended to 23,000 feet. His last words before going to sleep at Base Camp 2 were: "I'm the happiest man in the world--I've just summited a beautiful mountain." He never woke up. "

my condolences to the family

[Waldimore]

What an incredible way to go! I rest my case.

My condolences to Rep. Maloney.

[Cambridge9]

My condolences to Congresswoman Maloney and her family. May she finds solace that he died while doing something he enjoyed.

RIP Mr. Maloney.