Roy E. Clark Jr.

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Roy Clark Obituary

CLARK ROY E. CLARK, JR. "Chip" August 20, 1947 - June 13, 2010 On June 13, 2010, Roy Edward "Chip" Clark, Jr. passed away unexpectedly at his home in Arlington, VA of natural causes. The son of the late Roy and Betty Davis Clark of Newport News, VA, Chip leaves behind his wife, Debbie Clark; daughter, Jessica; brother, Peyton with his wife, Melba, nephew, Eric and niece, Jillian. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Chip taught high school science in Newport News before moving to northern Virginia in 1972. He was Senior Scientific and Studio Photographer at the Smithsonian''s National Museum of Natural History, where he served for almost 38 years photographing the nation''s treasures, scientific expeditions around the world, exhibitions and members of the museum community at work. He was also a long standing member of the National Speleological Society and renowned cave photographer. A family graveside service was held at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC on June 21, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions on his behalf to PBS stations WETA or WAMU or the National Speleological Society.

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Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 11, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Roy Clark

Sponsored by Deborah Clark, Loving Widow.

10 Entries

Debbie

March 19, 2022

I was walking in Congressional looking for my face mask I lost the day before. I was looking at head stones when I came upon a familiar sight of film boxes. I´m a photographer at NASA so it caught my attention. Being a photographer for National Geo was always my dream. I´m glad he lived his!

Lee Crocker

July 27, 2010

How very strange. I didn't know Roy E. Clark. I was actually looking for my uncle's obituary "Roy Lee Clark" who died on the SAME DAY. What a coincidence.

I have no doubt you'll miss your Roy as much as I'll miss mine, though... my sympathies to the family and friends of this man who shares my uncle's name. Peace to you all.

Erica Sylvester

July 19, 2010

We have some of the loveliest photos in our family collection that "Uncle Chip" took. I remember him with fondness because he was so warm and kind to such a rowdy bunch of little kids, his pictures capture the wonder of a 4, 6, and 8 year old in a museum somewhere. May God bless his family, I am sure such a wonderful man will be missed.

Arianna Tsakonas King

July 19, 2010

I met "Uncle Chip" in 1979 or 1980 when he came to Texas to visit my family for Christmas. He made quite an impression on a four year old with his tales of taking pictures of sleeping sharks! The pictures Chip took of me and my siblings are some of my most prized possessions! Rest in Peace Uncle Chip!

Paula Rothman

July 16, 2010

I met Chip at the Smithsonian many years ago in my capacity as a research assistant in the Invertebrate Zoology Department at MNH. He was always upbeat, with a ready smile - always had time to stop and exchange a few words. He was a wonderful instructor in formal photography classes - and also gladly answered photography questions on the fly to anyone who asked. I am still in shock that he passed, and although I didn't see him very often, feel a void now that he's gone. My sympathies to his family.

Barbara Weinstock

July 16, 2010

I have such wonderful memories of Chippy from high school when we would ride bikes through the Mariner's Museum and hang out at the Lion's Bridge. He would always be dressed in black and seeking adventures. We had an odd assortments of friends and called ourself the aardvark society. Don't know how that name came into being or who all were members. We went camping during some of college years and then lost contact. A few years ago, Chippy caled and we caught up on our adult lives. He spoke so beautifully of his wife and daughter. I misplaced his phone number and over the past year have searched in trying to get back in touch with him. Reaching him was on my list for my upcoming retirement. My loss for waiting. Fond memories will always remain when I think of the man in black. Hope family and friends can smile whenever they think of him as well.

Richard Borenstein

July 14, 2010

I met Chip about 12 years ago while working with the Jamestown Rediscovery project as he usually accompanied Doug Owsley from the Smithsonian. He was always very professional and very funny. In 2005, the project went to England for a week to search for a DNA match for Barthlomew Gosnold. One night at a pub for dinner, Chip decided to be adventurous and ordered "Stinking Bishop" cheese, which lived up to its name. It didn't faze Chip... much. My business partner and I always looked forward to working with him. He will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathies go to his family.

Jo (Parker) Vogel

July 12, 2010

I met Chip at the smithsonian around 1990 when my boyfriend Scott Parker who was later my husband took me to Washington D.C. Chip was Scotts cousin and we decided to look him up while we were there. He was a very nice man and i feel lucky to have met him. I still have pictures from that day. My sympathies to your family your family has lost a very special man.

Marguerite Rich

July 11, 2010

My prayers are with the family.

Marilyn Groome

July 11, 2010

Aye, we hardly knew you! Sympathy to his family.

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