Dr. Alan Butler Clark

Alan Butler Clark was born on September 8, 1934 in New Brunswick, NJ to Jeanette Watkins and Harvey Butler. He departed this life on January 26, 2026. After his birth, he was soon brought to the home of Thomas and Ethel Clark in Montclair, NJ who raised Alan ( and many others) as their own. Thomas and Ethel became enamored with Alan, and at the age of 16 the Clark family formally adopted him. On the day of his adoption, Alan recalled being the only teenager amongst many babies who were finding their forever-families that day. His biological mother, Jeanette remained a constant in his life and a consistent relationship with both him and the Clarks.

At the Clark household, Alan was impressed with several African-American doctors who performed house calls for the family. Alan observed their practice carefully and decided he would strive to become a doctor. At the age of 18, he entered Howard University (HBCU). He then transferred and later graduated from Rutgers University in 1956 as one of the two black students in his class.

In 1957 he married the love of his life, Pansy Kilgore. Following his nuptials, he was accepted into Howard University Medical School and graduated with honors and thus admitted into The Howard University Alpha Omega Medical Honor Society. Alan planned to begin his medical residency upon graduation, but before he could begin, he was drafted into the Air Force and served 3 years.

He was transferred to Lakenheath, U.K. in the Suffolk district in England with his growing family in tow. He treated men in the Air Force who sustained head injuries and in turn became interested in neurology. Upon his return to the U.S. he first resided in East Orange, NJ and then returned and became a long-time resident in Montclair, NJ (with homes on Elm Street and High Street). He applied and was accepted into very prestigious neurology training program offered at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC led by experts in the field.

Alan always dreamed of practicing medicine in home state to help serve the African-American. community and all others. Together with Dr. Ivan Dresner, a fellow Mt. Sinai trainee, they began practicing neurology in East Orange, NJ. He later joined Dr. Henry Harris and they became two of the most prominent doctors in the region. After Dr. Harris passed, Dr. Alan Clark continued practicing on his own until he was joined by his daughter, Dr. Ruth Clark. The father/daughter duo practiced together for 25 years. They continued together until Dr. Alan Clark's retirement.

Dr. Clark practiced medicine and neurology from the 1960s until the 2000s, marking an over 40-year career. Along the way, he held many positions, including being a part of medical staff of a number of hospitals including Orange Memorial and East Orange General Hospitals. He was the former Director of Health for the city of Newark, NJ under Mayor Kenneth Gibson and a Board of Trustee member of East Orange General Hospital.

He leaves behind his wife of more than 70 years, Pansy K Clark, three children, Ruth Clark Brown, Paul Clark and the late Julian Clark, son-in-law Lamont Brown, former daughter-in-law Daniela Bostic, grandchildren, Jordan Clark, Candice Speicher, and Nadia Brown, great grandchildren, Ambrose Speicher and Jesse Clark, nephews Jerome, Neely, Jack Kilgore, Greg McGilberry, Ronald Wells, Raymond "Chip" Wells Esq. and a large host of other family friends and colleagues.