David Ellsworth Clark
1922-2013
A Eulogy
George B. Kauffman, Ph.D.
Original Unabridged Version
Edited version published in Chemical & Engineering News, August 19, 2013
Volume 91, Issue 33, pg. 34 Obituaries
David Ellsworth Clark, 90, a retired organic chemist and university administrator, died in Davis, CA on April 9, 2013. He was born in Paso Robles, CA on November 22, 1922 to Duncan and Sarah Clark of Templeton, California and was raised in Ventura, CA. He enlisted and served as tank commander (11th Armored Division) in Europe (1942-46). He completed his interrupted studies (B.A., 1947) at Redlands University, where he met his future wife, Margaret Sabolia.
Clark joined the ACS in 1949, earned his M.S. (1948) and Ph.D. (1952) degrees in organic chemistry at Stanford University. He served the Chemistry Department at California State University, Fresno (then Fresno State College) as Instructor (1950-51, 1953-54), Assistant Professor (1954-56), Associate Professor (1956-61), and Professor (1961-72). He was Chairman and Program Chairman of the ACS Fresno Subsection.
Clark was Research Fellow at University of Kansas (summer 1960) and Oregon State University (summer 1961). As NSF Science Faculty Fellow (1962-63), he undertook postdoctoral work in chemistry and history of science at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was Academic Administration Intern, American Council on Education, at Brown University (1967-68).
In Administration at CSUF, Clark served as Curriculum Evaluator (half-time, 1957-59); Acting Vice President, Academic Affairs (1971); Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs (1979-80); and Vice President for Academic Affairs (1983-85). He served as Associate Dean, Academic Planning, Chancellor’s Office, California State University System (1965-67).
Clark’s other positions and memberships included CSUF College Religious Center Board of Directors (1956-60; Chairman, 1958-60); Chairman, Premedical Advising Committee (1957-65); Member, Curriculum Committee (1957-59); CSU System Chancellor’s Task Force on Continuing Education (1977); participant, CSUF Faculty Seminar, Taiwan (summer 1979); Chairman, Program Chairman, Secretary, Fresno Sigma Xi Club; Member, Commonwealth Club of California; and Senior Associate, Danforth Associates since 1961).
Clark retired in 1985 and with his wife, traveled the world—from North Pole to South Pole, Madagascar to Mongolia—in search and study of wildlife. He is survived by Margaret, his wife of 65 years, his children and their spouses, Stephen E. Clark and wife Denise of Fremont, CA and Sara C. Siggers and husband Jeffrey of Sacramento, CA.
A Memorial Service was held on April 27, 2013 at the University Retirement Community at Davis, CA.