Dr. Richard McCallum Clark

Clark, Dr. Richard McCallum PhD ALBANY Dr. Richard McCallum Clark, PhD, professor emeritus at the University at Albany in educational psychology and statistics, died peacefully Friday, February 26, 2016, at the age of 88. Born in Adrian, Mich. in 1927, Dick was the son of Dr. Raymond M. Clark and Marian W. Clark. Upon turning 18 in September 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army and served overseas in the South Pacific, including stations in Guam and Kwajelein. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Dick matriculated at Grinnell College under the GI Bill, completing his undergraduate degree in three years, and meeting a young co-ed from Chicago, Gloriana Hale, who became his wife on September 2, 1950. Together, Dick and Gloriana moved to Lansing, Mich. to pursue degrees at Michigan State University. He taught at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, University of Delaware at Wilmington, and the State University of New York College at Oneonta, gaining a new daughter in each location. In 1966 he accepted a position in the School of Education at the State University of New York at Albany where he remained until his retirement in 1992, at which time he was Acting Dean. His many professional achievements include a Collins Fellowship for distinguished service at the University. Immediately following his retirement, Dick accepted a consulting position with the government of Lesotho, in Southern Africa, helping to implement a new primary education project. For two years he and Gloriana lived in Maseru, Lesotho's capital, enjoying the international atmosphere of the educational community there, as well as the opportunities to explore other countries on the African continent. This was consistent with Dick's lifelong passion for travel, which had led him and Gloriana to visit much of the world together. An insatiable reader, Dick coupled his rigorous intellect with pragmatism and a steadfast humanist morality. Gentle and soft spoken, he employed the Socratic Method with his children and grandchildren, as well as his students, encouraging all to think critically and develop their own conclusions. He was a life master at Bridge, and he and Gloriana enjoyed competing in Bridge tournaments. At the Avila Retirement Community, he served on the Residents Advisory Board for a number of years. Dick was predeceased by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Clark Banghart. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloriana Hale Clark; and by their three daughters, Carol Ann Clark (Kevin Roberts), Jean Shaver (William Shaver) and Mary Heffner (C. William Heffner); and by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at Avila Retirement Community on Saturday, May 28, 2016. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Doctors without Borders, Friends of the Guilderland Public Library, or the Richard M. Clark Endowment Fund at the University of Albany.