Dr. Edward N. Clarke

PAXTON/WORCESTER - Edward N. Clarke, Ph.D., 99, beloved husband of the late Vivian C. (Bergquist) Clarke, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester. Born and raised in Providence, R.I., he was the son of the late Edward O.A. and Edith G. (Nielsen) Clarke.
Edward joined the United States Navy at age seventeen, and in 1942, was ordered to report to Navy officer training and engineering studies in the Navy V-12 program at Brown University where he received his commission as Ensign and his Bachelors degree in 1945. After serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII he was honorably discharged from active duty in 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant (JG) and remained in the Naval Reserves until 1957.
He entered graduate school at Harvard University, receiving his MS degree in Applied Physics in 1947, and MES degree in Engineering Science in 1948. He returned to Brown University and received his PhD in Physics in 1951. Edward was among the earliest engineers and scientists creating the semiconductor industry while working at Sylvania Electric Company, Sperry Semiconductor, and as one of the founders of National Semiconductor Corp. In 1965, he joined Worcester Polytechnic Institute as the Associate Dean of Faculty, Director of Research and Professor of Engineering and Science and during his thirty-year tenure he created the Solar Energy Center to help strengthen WPI's innovative projects program. Following his retirement in 1995, he remained active in academics, continuing engagements with WPI, Brown University, Nichols College, and the US Naval War College Foundation in Newport RI until he reached the age of 95.
Edward married his wife Vivian in 1949, both were lovingly devoted to each other for seventy-three years, until Vivian's passing in 2022. Together, they raised four children, were active in Lutheran churches and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. Edward was drawn to nature for relaxation and was an avid swimmer and downhill skier and enjoyed hiking in the hills and mountains of the Northeast.
He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his daughter, Sandra Clarke of Brookfield; his three sons, David Clarke and his wife, Kathy of Holden, Allan Clarke and his wife, Ann of Appleton, WI, and Jeffrey Clarke and his fiancée, Deborah Campouris of Scottsdale, AZ; eleven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, his sister Carolyn and her husband Stan, sister in law Ruth, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Vivian and two grandsons, Darryl Clarke and Nathan Clarke, and his brother George and sister Joan.
The family wants to thank the staff at Knollwood Nursing Home and Worcester Jewish Health Care Hospice program who provided loving care throughout his last months.
A Memorial Service honoring his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29. 2025 followed by a reception and luncheon at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 346 Shrewsbury Street, Holden. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Worcester JHC Hospice @ www.jhccenter.org or Honor Flight New England @ www.honorflightnewengland.org.
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