Clark Dixon Ashworth

In Loving Memory

Of Clark Dixon Ashworth

Clark Dixon Ashworth passed away on September 22 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was born in Washington D.C. on Christmas Eve, 1947. He went home to live with two older sisters, Ann and Jill, and his parents Dick and Vivian Ashworth, in Falls Church, VA. After his sister Gretchen joined the family, they moved to Potomac, MD, where they later welcomed sister Brooke.

At that time, Potomac was a small semi-rural community with lots of woods, streams and farms; an ideal place for a kid to grow up, and plenty of space to escape "the sisters." Clark became a competitive swimmer at the local swim club and completed high school at Richard Montgomery in Rockville, MD. He then attended his father's alma mater, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. There he spent time with his parents' families who lived nearby and engaged in some extracurricular experiences which led to his next adventure, service in the US Navy. Clark served as a helicopter air crewman antisubmarine warfare specialist on an aircraft carrier in the North Atlantic, with stops at Guantanamo Bay, and other areas along the east coast and Caribbean. After his discharge he served two years in the reserves during which he completed his bachelor's degree at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.

In 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn Fantasia, and moved soon after to Seattle, WA to pursue a doctorate in psychology at the University of Washington. Following completion of his Ph.D., he joined the UW faculty where he taught in the Psychology department, provided statistical analysis for students in various doctoral programs, and was a member of the Department of Family Medicine. At a grants management workshop on campus he met his second wife, Elissa Dyson, and their desire to live in the country, and hIs work with the UW's Rural Health Research Program, led them to Colville where they settled in Onion Creek, and Clark began his 40 year career as a licensed psychologist serving the Tri-County area.

The things that gave Clark's life meaning were many-topping the list was his work at NEW Family Counseling, and the clients and colleagues at the heart of that endeavor. Clark kept a full clinical schedule until March of this year; he always said "why should I re-tire, I'm not tired!" He saw his last client (virtually) a couple weeks before his death.

Then there was Spring Hill, the home he fell in love with the first time he drove up that (long!) driveway. Although they weren't yet married, he and Elissa dreamed of having a family, and the existence of Onion Creek School in the community sealed the deal. He was happy to welcome three children, Sarah, Kate, and Gregory, who would attend that school and participate in the construction, firewood and other projects that matched his motto "work is fun." But then there were breaks for ski vacations, bike trips to blues festivals and the music he loved, and escapes to the sun and sands of warmer climes.

Finally, there was skiing. Although an injury in 2016 ended his days on the slopes, he maintained his membership in the National Ski Patrol where he had served at 49° North one day a week for 30 seasons. The camaraderie and dedication of his fellow patrollers were a source of inspiration and enjoyment for him. He never stopped checking the snow reports daily for all the hills he'd skied!

The last years of Clark's life were challenging. Neuromuscular deterioration that affected all parts of his body meant his normally active life was over. Finally learning in May 2025 that he had ALS helped explain the seemingly unrelated series of symptoms he had experienced for some time. This is typical of this disease; and it is also notable that significantly more military veterans are diagnosed with ALS than the general public.

As a result, the VA was very supportive, and, Always Caring Home Health Services, Hospice of Spokane, and many other individuals helped care for Clark and Spring Hill in the past few months. A special thank you to his companion dog, Stella, who gave him great joy in his final years.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gretchen Brumback. He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Elissa Dyson, and children, Sarah Linn Ashworth of Olympia, Kate Merritt Ashworth (Dean Marriner) of Andover, England, and Gregory McClure Ashworth (Jordan) of Freeland, WA, and four grandchildren, Olivia and Ellie Ashworth, and Charlie and Atticus Marriner. He is also survived by sisters Ann Croll of Durango, CO, Jill DeCesare of Princess Anne, MD, and Brooke Wisner of Hebron, NH.

A Celebration of Clark's Life will be held at the Colville Center of the Community Colleges of Spokane on Saturday, October 18, from 3:00 - 6:00. Memorial contributions can be made to the ALS Association (PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022) or the 49°N Ski Patrol (49°N Ski Patrol, 1205 Pinebrook Drive, Chewelah, WA 99109).