Bertram M. Clinkston

Born May 3, 1922, our beloved Bertram M Clinkston, passed away May 18, 2023 at the age of 101. Bert was a devoted son, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and an always considerate, dear and close friend to many.

Bert grew up in Saginaw, Michigan the son of Ben and Ellen Clinkston. He was the youngest of 4 four siblings and was pre-deceased by Philip, Norman, and Elayne. He is also pre-deceased by his loving wife Barbara. His father Ben was the owner of a scrap metal business Clinkston & Sons. The family was close and together weathered the turbulent and challenging times of The Great Depression. Bert described his mother as the kindest person that ever existed.

In September of 1942, Bert enlisted at Fort Custer, Michigan in the United States 8th Air Force and was later placed in the Bomber Command (BC). Extensive basic training and advanced training had Bert crisscrossing the country at a number of bases. He was then transported to Great Britain aboard the Queen Elizabeth, along with 15,000 troops. The vessel had to dodge and weave to avoid German U-boats. Fortunately, the Queen Elizabeth was faster than the U-boats.

Bert was assigned to the 486th Bomb Group stationed in Sudbury, England and flew 24 daylight bombing missions over Germany in a B-17 as a waist gunner, through heavy anti-aircraft fire. Over the years he shared many stories about the war. But only in his last years did he discuss actual combat. He described a mission over Berlin, in which 14 out of his bomb group's 36 planes were shot down. One can only imagine the comfort of seeing the chalk cliffs and green landscape of the South Downs when crossing the English Channel returning from a mission; while so many were not as fortunate.

During the war, Bert visited London, Cambridge, and other points during leaves, and developed a deep affection for England. Little did he know that his future wife had survived the London Blitz as a girl. Her father perished during a London bombing when she was 9 years old.

In 1947 after WWII Bert decided to defy his high school journalism teacher's admonition ("You'll never in God's world make a newspaper man.") and went into journalism as editor of the Starke County Republican in Knox, Indiana, and after that as a reporter for the Port Huron (Michigan) Times Herald. Bert left the paper in 1949 to spend a year traveling in Paris, London, and New York. On his return to England, Bert met his wife Barbara at a jazz club in London.

In 1950 Bert went into the scrap metal business with his brother Norman for 4 years. The two worked hard together sharing the lively camaraderie of loving brothers. They also entertained each other with impersonations of some of their more interesting customers. Norman stuck with the scrap metal business and developed Clinkston & Sons to become a regional competitor, supplying products to the Detroit automotive industry.

Also in 1950, Barbara and her mother Peggy (Hannah) Sweet moved from London to Saginaw, Michigan where Barbara and Bert were married. Bert's mother and father Ellen and Ben Clinkston warmly welcomed Barbara and Peggy into the family. Barbara gave birth to David in 1953 and the family moved to Minneapolis where Bert resumed his career as a reporter for the Associated Press. In 1954 the trio moved to Portland, Maine where Bert worked as a reporter for the Portland Press Herald. During this period Barbara and David (a wee toddler) sailed to London on the Queen Mary (returning on the Queen Elizabeth) to be with Barbara's Mother and family for an extended visit. In 1960 Bert landed a job across the country as a reporter for the Sacramento Union. The family traded Maine's brutally cold winters for Sacramento's blistering hot summers.

Bert and Barbara lived in Sacramento for 33 years until 1993. Bert's newspaper career evolved when Leonard Finder the editor and publisher of the Sacramento Union promoted Bert from reporter to become political editor. Bert and Leonard remained good friends. From his desk in the State Capital building, Bert had access to the movers and shakers in state politics. A registered independent, he developed a reputation for fair, unbiased reporting, and earned the respect and friendship of many in the process.

In late 1965 one of those friends, California Secretary of State Frank M Jordan appointed Bert as Deputy Secretary of State. Ironically, as a reporter Bert had interviewed Ronald Reagan at length as a candidate for governor. Subsequently, in his capacity as Deputy Secretary of State, Bert swore Ronald into office. Sadly, Frank Jordan died in office in 1970. Bert left the Secretary of State's office when he was appointed assistant to the Chancellor of the California Community College system, with 92 campuses. In 1982 Bert became the communications Director of the California Taxpayers' Association, a non-profit organization, providing high-quality research and advocacy in government issues.

Meanwhile, Barbara developed a strong career as a prolific abstract painter and collage artist. Her work was exhibited in numerous solo and group shows, ranging from private galleries to regional juried shows. Barbara cultivated many enduring friendships with other artists. Bert and Barbara had many interesting close friends from different walks of life, with whom they shared a stimulating social life. They were also active in Congregation B'nai Israel, several blocks from home in the Land Park neighborhood. Bert and Barbara's only grandchild Adam was born in 1983. They adored Adam.

Music was always a big part of the home ambiance. Bert was a huge fan of "The Duke" (Duke Ellington), Count Basie, and Benny Goodman.

In 1993 Barbara and Bert sold their house of 31 years and made a big move to live in Seattle close to their son David and grandson Adam. They found property on nearby Bainbridge Island surrounded by wetlands and teaming with wildlife. Here David designed a house for them (constructed by Bill Corbin) that included a great room with a balance of windows to the wetlands and wall space for display of Barbara's artwork, and collected works of others. For the ensuing 9 years the great room was the scene of many gatherings with old and new friends.

In 2005 Barbara and Bert sold their home on Bainbridge Island and purchased the other half of David's 2-flat duplex in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood. Although they had dearly loved their Bainbridge Island home, it was time to live in proximity with David and their grandson Adam. It was also at this time that David met the lovely Joan Provo, Bert and Barbara's soon-to-be daughter-in-law who was warmly embraced into the family.

For nearly 20 years the family resided together at West Kinnear Place. And in time the proximity became essential as Bert and Barbara's need for care and assistance increased.

Bert remained most comfortable when surrounded by his newspapers and magazines...and his bananas, consuming six or seven a day. Bert was gifted with an incredible memory into his late nineties and regaled us endlessly with stories from his early life during the Depression, his air force days, his brilliant career as a journalist, and his role in the California state capital as Deputy Secretary of State. Having had fascinating proximity to politicians and famous people of his era, Bert never ran short of material.

Bert remained sage and philosophical, and a source of thoughtful advice about living with purpose and integrity. He was a guiding light. And his never-failing wry sense of humor and perspective always kept it interesting.

Bert was a very loving and loyal person and a joy to his many friends and family. We miss him very much.

Bert believed in luck. He had a habit of putting on his left shoe first during World War II to bring him good luck and keep him safe during bombing missions. Bert's son David and grandson Adam always put on their left shoe first as well. And as Bert would often declare when saying goodbye..."Good Luck".