Charles E. Clark

Charles E. Clark

DURHAM - Charles E. Clark, 84, of Emerson Road, passed away December 3, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born in Brunswick, Maine, April 28, 1929, son of the Reverend Clarence and Beatrice Clark.

Charles attended high school in Newport, and attended Bates College where he met his wife Margery and many lifelong friends, graduating in 1951. He completed his master's degree at the Columbia School of Journalism, and then worked for the Valley News in Lebanon. He entered the United States Navy's Officer Candidate School, and spent four years as an air intelligence officer. At the end of his active duty, he continued in the Naval Reserve, retiring after 20 years as a Commander.

Charles returned to his journalism career in 1955, working for the Providence Journal. He began a doctoral program at Brown University, completing his Ph.D. in American civilization in 1966.

He began his teaching career at SMTI, presently UMASS Dartmouth, before joining the history department at UNH in 1967. A true scholar, he enjoyed the balance of teaching, writing and researching as he established himself as a leading authority of colonial New England history. In 1993 he was chosen as the first James H. Hayes and Claire Short Hayes Professor of the Humanities. Upon his retirement in 1997 he was recognized as the Hayes Professor emeritus.

Charles authored six books and many publications, most significantly The Eastern Frontier, The Public Prints, The Meetinghouse Tragedy, and Maine: A Bicentennial History. He enjoyed opportunities teaching at Cambridge University and Regents College, and his research led to a semester in Colonial Williamsburg working as an apprentice in the print shop.

Charles was a Proprietor of the Portsmouth Athenaeum and a Trustee of the NH Historical Society. He was a member of the American Antiquarian Society, Colonial Society of Massachusetts, and the N.H. Humanities Council and received numerous fellowships, recognitions and awards.

He was an active member of the Durham Community Church, serving as a deacon and steward, and served on the Ecumenical Council of the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. He was also active in the town of Durham serving on both the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Durham Historical Association.

Charles was the patriarch of a large, loving, and supportive family. He and his family enjoyed many sunsets on Sebago Lake as well as many adventures and travels throughout the years. Charles enjoyed spending time with his family and many grandchildren.

Charles was a role model and mentor both professionally and personally. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Margery Clark, daughter Marilyn Winslow and husband Eric of Lee, son Douglas and wife Kimberly of Durham, son Jonathan and wife Heather of Stratham, and son David and wife Lee of Plymouth, Mass. He leaves his grandchildren Jennifer Thomas and husband Charles, Joshua Winslow and wife Lucia, McKenna Wish and husband Nathanial, Christopher, Megan, Alexandra, MacKenzie, Camden, Bretton, Abigail, Charlotte and Hunter. He leaves four great-grandchildren Cooper, Noah, Caroline, and Hudson. He also leaves two brothers Llewellyn Clark and wife Shirley of Dalton, Mass., Richard Clark and wife Julie of Windham, Maine, and several nieces and nephews.



A celebration of Charles' life will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday December 21st at the Durham Community Church, Durham, N.H. Memorial contributions can be made to the UNH Foundation in the name of Charles E. Clark, to set up a scholarship fund to support graduate research in Early American History. To make a contribution donors may contact the Elliott Alumni Center 9 Edgewood Road Durham, N.H. 03824. Visit: ww.jvwoodfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest book. The J. Verne Wood Funeral Home-Buckminster Chapel assisted with arrangements.

Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.