Obituary of Robert Clark

Mr. Robert Allan Clark, Sr., 91, of Middlebury passed away Friday February 19, 2010 at the Ridgeview Health Center in Cromwell. He was the husband of the late Mary E. (Sydnor) Clark. Mr. Clark was born July 29, 1918 in Middlebury a son of the late Allan Judd and Elma Louise (Abbott) Clark and was a longtime Middlebury resident. He was a graduate of Crosby High School where he was captain of the rifle team for three years and lettered in swimming. He attended the Stevens Institute of Technology and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He was a mechanical engineer at the Keyrite Company in Seymour retiring after many years of service. He also worked at Vickers and the Waterbury Tool Company. He was a state champion with the small bore rifle at various times in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He served on many Middlebury boards, including education, water and sewer. He was also an avid salt water fisherman typically in the waters of Charlestown, R.I. an area which, together with the town of Middlebury, was close to his heart. Mr. Clark was a member of the Middlebury Congregational Church where he had served as a deacon. He was a member of King Solomon Lodge #7 A.F. & A.M. of Woodbury, Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Bridgeport, Lafayette Consistory 32nd Degree, Valley of Bridgeport and the Sphinx Temple of Newington. He was a WWII veteran of the USN serving as LTJG in the submarine service. He is survived by his children, Doris Jean Clark Milner (Milton Milner) of Hendersonville, N.C, Robert Allan Clark, Jr (Priscilla Clark) of Naugatuck and Margaret Sydnor Clark (Frederick Polner) of Madison, six grandchildren and two great granddaughters. A memorial service will be celebrated at the Middlebury Congregational Church at a time to be announced. Burial with military honors will be at the convenience of his family in Middlebury Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Middlebury Congregational Church P.O. Box 268 Middlebury, CT. 06762, to the Middlebury Land Trust Inc. P.O. Box 193 Middlebury, CT. 06762, to the Salt Ponds Coalition P.O. Box 875 Charlestown, RI. 02813 or to South County Conservancy P.O. Box 1387 Charlestown, RI 02813 (scc@southcountyconservancy.org). The Alderson Funeral Home of Waterbury 9 Holmes Avenue has care of arrangements.