John W. Clark

John Wood Clark, 80, of Highland Park, Pittsburgh, formerly of New Kensington, died Thursday (Dec. 5, 2002) in Forbes Hospice, after a lengthy illness.

Born July 17, 1922, in Jacksonville, Ill., he lived in New Kensington before moving to Pittsburgh in 1980. An Army veteran of World War II, he served in the infantry in Germany, where he was wounded and was a prisoner of war. He had his leg amputated in a Germany prison hospital and was awarded a Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. He received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in 1946 and a master's degree in civil engineering mechanics in 1947 from the same university. He earned a doctorate in engineering mechanics-mathematics in 1954 from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Clark began his career as a research engineer at Alcoa Research Laboratory in New Kensington in 1947 and retired from the company as manager of the engineering properties and design division in 1980. Awards he received included: Purdue University Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 1966, Rowland Prize in 1957; Research Prize in 1958; ASCE Croes medal in 1966; and Pittsburgh ASCE Civil Engineer in 1976. Mr. Clark was a life member of ASCE; 1971-74 director of its Pittsburgh section; and 1977 chairman of the executive committee of the Structural Stability Research Council. In addition, he was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Chi Epsilon, Sigma Xi and Theta Alpha Phi fraternities. He was a founding member of Stepfamilies of Pittsburgh and served as its treasurer for many years. Mr. Clark enjoyed reading, traveling and spending summers at Chautauqua, visiting family and friends. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Linkins Clark; a son, Douglas S. (Molly) Clark of Orinda, Calif.; two daughters, Meredith J. (William Deen) Clark of Bedford, Mass., and Judith W. Clark of Pittsburgh; two stepsons, Christopher B. (Laura) Scruby of Largo, Fla., and Kenneth R. (Judy) Scruby of Kennesaw, Ga.; and a brother, William N. Clark of Willmette, Ill. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Jonathan, Leland, Sarah, Xander, Basil, Kristina and Marina Scruby, Michael Deen and Jessica, Samuel and Joseph Clark; three nephews, John J., William W. and Thomas (Alegra) Clark ; a niece, Mrs. Jennifer (Mike) Davis; and two brothers-in-law, Dr. Walter M. Snyder of Dundalk, Md., and Richard (Lorraine) Snyder of Las Vegas. Mr. Clark was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Snyder Clark; a stepson, Victor C. Scruby; and his parents, Dr. Sam N. and Helen W. Clark. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Chapel at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Forbes Hospice, 6655 Frankstown Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206; or the Purdue Foundation, 1800 Purdue Memorial Union, West Lafayette, IN 47907.