Robert "Bob" Clark's Obituary
Robert Roy Clark
Robert “Bob” Roy Clark, 82, of Lakewood, WA, passed away at home on January 30, 2017, with his loving partner of 29 years, Heidi, by his side.
Born in Pollock, South Dakota, in 1934, Bob and his family moved west to Vanport City and then Portland, Oregon, when Bob was very young. The eldest of six rough and tumble brothers, Bob graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School, winning a football scholarship to Oregon State College (University) where he led the Beavers to the 1957 Rose Bowl. While at OSU Bob was a member of the ATO fraternity and was involved in the Air Force ROTC program, earning an officer’s commission in the Air Force where he served 28 years, retiring as a full colonel.
Along the way he also earned an MSc in International Affairs from George Washington University.
His Air Force career took him from the jungles of Vietnam, to European capitals to desert airstrips in the Middle East, the darkest corners of Africa and South America. He was a highly decorated patriot of the highest order and served his country proudly.
Above all else Bob treasured his daughters and grandchildren, cherished time spent with Heidi and her family, his brothers and their families, and numerous life-long friends. Bob will be deeply missed by all.
Bob is survived by his daughters; Jackie (Jeff) Petersen, Denise (Peter) Philips, Robyn (Dick) Sharp, Lori (Kory) Rogers, Michele (Bill) Tufts; grandchildren; Camille (Steve) Davis, Aksel and Sam Lorenzen, Rox and Braden Rogers, Nick and Olivia Jones; brothers, Jerry (Beverly) Clark, Larry (Judi) Clark, David Clark, Jim (Nancy) Clark, Heidi and her family, and numerous nieces and nephews. His brother Don Clark joined Bob when he passed away on February 1, 2017.
Special thanks to the wonderful caregivers from Franciscan Hospice and Home Instead for their loving care and gentle humor over the past months.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on February 22, at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th Street West, University Place, WA 98466
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