Charles Baker-Clark

Charles Baker-Clark, 76, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025, at UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

A funeral Mass will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 19, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Reverend Tom Heathershaw officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will be one hour before the service on Friday.

Charles Allen Clark, III, the son of Charles Allen, II and Jeanne (Green) Clark, was born November 16, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was one of nine children born to his parents. Charles received his education in the Chicago area, graduating from high school. He enlisted into the United States Navy, proudly serving his country as a Navy Corpsman for four years before his honorable discharge.

After his discharge from the Navy, Charles began his education saga with the end result being his PhD in Adult and Higher Education. He was a Professor at Grand Valley State University for several years teaching in the Hospitality and Tourism Department. During his tenure, Charles developed an Italian Study Abroad Program, became a Fulbright Scholar who was able to teach in Montenegro for eight months, and then returned to the University to teach until his retirement in 2019.

Charles married Patti Zwick and this union was blessed with a son, Charles Allen Clark, IV- "Chad". The couple later divorced. He was then united in marriage to Susan (Zacher) Baker on November 7, 1987. The two combined their households (and last names) with Susan's son, Christopher Baker, completing their family of four.

Charles enjoyed cooking, traveling, reading, writing (authoring his own book for his PhD, "Profiles From the Kitchen"), and loving all of his pets over the years. His faith was very important, and he would pray the Rosary daily, sometimes more than once.

Living family members include his wife, Susan Baker-Clark of Charles City, two sons: Chad (Amanda) Clark of Cedar Rapids and Christopher (Rebekah) Baker of Charles City; five grandchildren: Isabelle Baker, Logan Baker, Charles Allen Clark, V- "Harry", Elliot Clark, and Owen Baker; siblings: Redmond (Polly) Clark, Mary (Brent Sadewater) Clark, Austin Clark, William (Judy) Clark, Joseph (Janet) Clark, and Molly (Fabrice Zomolo) Clark; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Edmond Clark and Robert Clark; sister-in-law, Linda Clark; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and other family members.