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RICHARD F. CLARK
1951 - 2022
RICHARD F. CLARK
1951 - 2022
Obituary
Guest Book
RICHARD CLARK Obituary
RICHARD F. CLARK, age 71. Founding President of Saint Martin de Porres High School and founding Director of Partnership Schools Cleveland. Beloved husband of 39 years to Moira (nee Hickey); father of Will (Brittany), Kevin, Bridey and the late Colin; "Pops" of Connor; brother of Maureen Delgado and Bill; uncle and friend of many.
Rich was born in Boston and grew up in Chicago. He attended Georgetown University and graduated with a B.A. in Theology. He received a master's degree in Religious Education from Loyola University of Chicago.
After teaching scripture and ethics for 18 years at his high school alma mater, Loyola Academy, Rich was named the first lay principal of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. In 2003 he left that role to help found the fourth Cristo Rey high school in the country, Saint Martin DePorres.
In 2020 he helped bring Partnership Schools (a Catholic grade school management organization) to the Cleveland Diocese as the first replication of one of the most successful networks of Catholic grade schools in the country. Partnership Schools in Cleveland now include Archbishop Lyke, St. Thomas Aquinas, Metro Catholic, and St. Francis.
After so many years in high school education, he took great joy in the younger students the Partnership serves, especially the kindergartners and first graders whose classrooms surrounded his office and who often stopped by to share their questions and their wisdom.
Rich was a man of deep faith, dauntless hope, and inspired love. He will be remembered, and missed, by many.
Passed away September 20, 2022. Funeral Mass Monday, September 26, St. Vitus Church (6019 Lausche Ave.) at 11:00 AM. (MEET AT CHURCH). Friends may call at SAINT MARTIN de PORRES HIGH SCHOOL, RICHARD F. CLARK COMMONS, (6202 St. Clair Ave.) SUNDAY 1-6 PM. (ENTER THROUGH THE ST. CLAIR MAIN ENTRANCE.)
PLEASE NO FLOWERS, the family requests contributions to Saint Martin de Porres High School, 6202 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland, OH 44103 or to Partnership Schools Cleveland, 1011 First Ave. Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/GjzYK5ss8K4
Richard Clark Funeral Mass booklet
Parking will be available at the following locations.
- Saint Martin de Porres parking lots on Lausche and Northwood
- St. Vitus Church
- Sheliga Drug Store lot (west side only)
- Slovenian National Home
41 Entries
Saint Martin de Porres High School
March 30, 2024
It´s been just over 18 months since God called you home and it still feels like yesterday. I, and so many of us at Saint Martin, miss you and would love to talk with you again. Rich, you lived a life that we all could envy, but few would have the commitment to live out. I hope and pray that we will always do right by you. It gives us peace that you are looking down on us and we can feel your presence. We miss you, we love you, we will "Be Saint Martin" for you. Continue to rest in peace, you´ve earned it. Miss you friend.
pamela donaldson
September 20, 2023
Hi Moira and Bridie, thinking of you all today
Clinton Simmons
February 5, 2023
Just found out of his Transition to Heaven!!
He served with me on the board of directors of CLEVELAND BENEDICTINE where I was vice chair.BRILLIANT EDUCATOR AND LEADER!!
Chris Cunningham
October 5, 2022
Moira and Family - My name is Chris Cunningham and I'm Rich's Friend from Albuquerque and G-town. I was on that legendary softball and lived with Rich for 1 1/2 yrs. I am so glad i helped organize the trip to Florida and spent priceless time with Rich on the beach @ Cocoa Beach and a couple of meals. I aways told him he was doing the Lord's work. I was with him in DC when he opened , I believe, the unsolicited offer from Loyola to teach and embark on his live of service. He said to me at the time that all his friends were welcome to address his class if we were in town. Never took him up on that but it would have been memorable. Since Florida , Rich and communicated often about Education ,Cooking, Music, his upcoming hip replacement and his beloved Guardians. I thought it appropriate that the Guardians, with his guidance, clinched the division title days after his death. Moira; in Florida, we all reiterated that Rich was a positive force of nature and I'm so glad we shared the reunion in 2018 and Cocoa Beach. God bless all the Clarks, hope to meet you soon, love Chris
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Moira (Nowlin) Arndts
September 28, 2022
I will forever and always remember Mr. Clark´s warm and contagious smile. Sending your entire family so much love, we are all holding you up in prayer every day. Xo
Douglas Wahl
September 28, 2022
Sincere condolences on the passing of such a wonderful man. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.
John Steger - Classmate, Georgetown University 1973
September 27, 2022
When it comes to excellence in education for everybody, Rich believed it. He worked at it. He lived it. He accomplished so much. His was a life to be proud of.
Pamela Donaldson
September 26, 2022
Moira and the Clark Family, I am so very sorry to hear about the death of Richard. I met him many years ago in our early work at St. Martin's. What a visionary. He leaves such a legacy in education for each of us to pick up our part of the baton. Prayers to each of you during this time.
Sherri Parks
September 26, 2022
My prayers and deepest condolences to the family
Portia Gadson
September 26, 2022
Urban Catholic Education in Cleveland, Ohio is better because of Rich! He was a great mentor and man of God. Sharing an office with him was an adventure, his stories warmed my heart.
Mariah Thompson
September 26, 2022
Mr. Clark Thank you so much for being you. I cannot even find the words to express how much you meant to our community. You gave all that you had and for that, I thank you so much you will be missed!
Ron, June and Mary Zeszut
September 26, 2022
Mrs. Clark, We are sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Ameer Ward
September 26, 2022
Great, Mentor, Great Leader, Great Person, and most of all a GREAT MAN. You will truly be missed but never, ever forgotten. Sleep Well King!
Maureen Hayden
September 25, 2022
Sincere condolences to Moira and Family from Friends of Kirtland Park. Richard was a good friend to our group. He took the time to write letters of support when we applied for neighborhood grants, and the students volunteered for events at the park. He helped build up the community and the city. He will be missed. May he rest in peace
chris Finicle Keener
September 25, 2022
Thinking of you and your family, Moira.
My sincere condolences.
Chris Finicle Keener
Annie Semega
September 25, 2022
So sorry to learn of your sorrow. My uncle, Fr Robert Welsh, SJ, truly thought the world of Rich! "They are not lost who find the light of sun and stars and God."
Jay Westbrook and Helen Williams
September 25, 2022
Richard Clark with his big laugh, bright smile and grand vision help so many Clevelanders young and adult live out our dreams .......
Ed Miller
September 24, 2022
Moria', my sincere condolences to you and your family. May God bless all of you in this time of sorrow.
Amanda Rasheed
September 24, 2022
Mr. Clark, thank you so much for being a great leader at Saint Martin. You will always be missed. My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
Art Thomas
September 24, 2022
I am so sorry, Moira, Will, Kevin and Bridey to hear of your loss. Rich touched so many of us with his vision of education for all young people. His commitment to Jesuit schools and his limitless passion and creativity inspired me and thousands of others. He was a man for others who opened doors for others. My prayers are with you.
Mary Kay Kissinger Warden
September 23, 2022
Oh, Moira. We were so sad to here about Rich. Our whole family sends our condolences to you, Will, Kevin and Bridey. Even though we were next door neighbors for only a few short years our memories of Rich and the times we shared with all of you will always live on and bring a smile to our faces. And now he´s with little Colin.
We send you all our love.
Mary Kay and Tom
Margaret Turek
September 23, 2022
Moira, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family! Sending you love and prayers. May Rich rest in the peace of Christ.
Bill and Sheila Acton
September 23, 2022
Moira and Family,
So very sorry to learn of Rich's passing. It doesn't seem that long ago when we spent so many great days at Loyola Academy...early Saturday morning tennis matches, "crispy but not burned" onion rings at Hackney's, Edison Park get-togethers, arguments over Cubs vs. White Sox...Rich was one of the best. Our love and prayers to you and all your family. Requiescat in pace, our frind Rich.
Emily Blaha
September 23, 2022
God was present in all that he did. He was so many things to so many people! I will certainly carry him - and all of you Clarks- in my heart.
Robert Burger
September 23, 2022
I knew Rich from 4 years at Loyola Academy. A very nice guy, always pleasant and caring. So sorry to hear about his passing.
Julie Dunlop
September 23, 2022
Moira-We are thinking of you and the kids so much. It's been a long time since we've seen each other, but I've kept a little bit in the loop. From afar have admired all the gifts you and Rich have given to the world through your kids and the education world. Your collective wit and charm are enough to bring a smile any day, and the world will miss Rich's kindness and humor. Sending you love and hugs. Julie
Dave Cooke
September 23, 2022
Along with a few others in our class at Georgetown (1973), Rich and I shared a house one summer in Washington D.C. Rich was also the pitcher and undisputed leader of our championship intramural softball team senior year. And then we were not in touch until our 45th class reunion, in 2018.
I knew of Rich´s remarkable career as an educator, as principal/president of Catholic high schools in Chicago, and finally, as the co-founder of Cleveland´s first Cristo Rey high school, St. Martin de Porres. At the time, I was school board chair of Holy Angels Catholic School, one of four K through 8 "community schools" (read: inner city) of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Seeking some advice on some academic and organizational challenges Holy Angels (and the other three schools) were facing, I approached Rich at the initial cocktail reception of the reunion. He immediately assumed his "game face" that I remembered so well from those softball games at Georgetown. He peppered me with questions that ranged from structure to program to post-graduate follow-up to faculty selection. There followed a blitz of recommendations that continued long after the reunion had concluded, first by email and then by telephone.
As you know, Rich could be very persuasive. And he was persistent. Ultimately, he introduced me to leaders of the very successful (and independent) Partnership Schools program in New York, which manages nine city schools for the Archdioceses of New York and (subsequently) of Cleveland. Through Rich´s energy and commitment, the program´s top leaders personally took the time to attend a meeting with the Chancellor of Schools of the Baltimore Archdiocese to explore the potential for a similar arrangement in Baltimore. Eventually, the AOB chose a different path to address the needs of our students, which resulted in the first new Catholic K through 8 school built in Baltimore by the Archdiocese in nearly 60 years.
That Rich would devote considerable time and talent to this effort, acting on a contact that had lain dormant for 45 years, speaks to his lifelong commitment to quality Catholic education for those who so desperately need it in order to have just a chance to live the kind of life that Catholic Social Teaching espouses.
All of us who hung out together at Georgetown strove for The Good Life after graduation. Richard´s life and achievements clearly show that he was the best of us.
Gary Grasso
September 23, 2022
Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Hey Rich, St Peter probably may make you wait in the corner for a short while to atone for some days and nights at Georgetown, but your exemplary life of service and family values will then throw the gate open for you to live there in eternity with the great ones. Peace to you and yours....
Patrice McCarthy
September 23, 2022
"When you teach, you touch the future" His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched. He leaves a community grateful for his dedication, love and inspiration to so many, many people. RIP
Michael A. Vincent, S. J.
September 23, 2022
Dear Moira and Family,
My sincere condolences on the death of Rich. I worked with him for many years and know how devoted he was to the cause of Jesuit Education. Please know that my prayers are with you and your family.
Fr. Michael A. Vincent, S. J.
Kathy Klimko
September 23, 2022
Moira, my deepest sympathy to you & your family.
Martinek Family
September 23, 2022
Catholic education is at the core/coeur of the Cleveland community. We share gratitude and graces and blessings with Richard and Moira from SIHS, SMDP, and Mags. Eternal rest and the peace of Christ be his. Martinek Family
John C Kikol
September 22, 2022
Richard was a difference maker and his accomplishments shall continue for his students for their lifetime!
Patti and Marty Fahey
September 22, 2022
Moira—It’s been many years since we’ve connected, but we are very sad to hear of Rich’s passing. He was a rock, a bear, a lion, and a character during our years together at Loyola Academy. Rich was my first team teaching partner teaching Social Justice in the theology department. What a role model. It is a tragic and sudden loss to you and the kids. We will keep you all in our prayers every day. ❤ Keep the faith. In Christ, Patti McLaughlin-Fahey and Marty Fahey
Michael Drcukman
September 22, 2022
We are deeply saddened by Richard's sudden passing. Richard was our Robert F. Kennedy Urban Education School Leader of the year, an honor that recognized his enormous impact on underserved students. At Schools That Can we appreciated Richard's meaningful leadership in the faith-based school community. Richard's moral and nurturing leadership will be missed. Our condolences to Rich's family. May his memory be a comforting blessing for years to come.
Michael Druckman
September 22, 2022
We are deeply saddened by Rich's sudden passing. Richard was an extraordinary leader devoted to faith-based education. His impact on the lives of so many underserved students will be a tough act to follow. In recognition of his accomplishments Richard was Schools That Can's Robert F. Kennedy Urban Education School Leader. On behalf of all of our Schools That Can team we offer our condolences to Rich's family. May his memory be a blessing and inspiration for years to come.
Michael Druckman
CEO, Schools That Can
Teresa Butler and Bridget Butler
September 22, 2022
We are sending our deepest condolences.
Please know that you are all in our prayers through this difficult time.
Bridget and I hold you and your family in our hearts.
Stephen Cooke
September 22, 2022
Moira,
Heaven must have needed dose of energy so the Lord called on Rich. He’s now leading the angels and convincing them to follow him.
Love from all the Cookes, including Ben and Lindsey ( Cooke) Wallace.
Jim Hoag
September 22, 2022
Rich - you were a stellar RCIA sponsor and surrogate Godfather. You taught me to "toe the line". Now you are showing us how to enter the narrow gate. I feel like you will forever have my back. Until we meet again my Blues Brother friend.
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