Barton Henry Clennon

1942 - 2025

Barton Henry Clennon
December 6, 1942 - June 25, 2025
Barton "Bart" Clennon passed away bravely and peacefully at home with his family by his side on June 25, 2025, at the end of a courageous battle with dementia and pancreatic cancer. On the light side, many noted over the past few years that even with dementia, Bart was still smarter than most!
Born in Sturgis, South Dakota, Bart was adopted at birth by Roy and Ethelyn Clennon, who raised him and his sister Pat with a love of family, learning, and adventure. The family moved to Wenatchee in 1956, where Bart graduated with the Wenatchee High School Class of 1960 before studying mathematics for one year at WSU and graduating from the University of Washington in 1964. After completing Army Reserves boot camp, he began work at Northern Life Insurance Co., where he simultaneously studied for and passed the ten challenging exams to become a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries. Bart was then hired by Milliman and Robertson, where he became a partner and enjoyed a successful, distinguished career.
In 1969, Bart met the love of his life, Sheila Hildebrand, at Lake Chelan, and they married in 1970. Together they built a life rooted in family and community, raising their three children, Cory, Mackenzie, and Cameron, in Madison Park (Seattle), Beaconsfield (England), and Wenatchee. Bart's passions in those years included running marathons, studying and completing real estate deals, and figuring out how to either survive or leave the city, resulting in a move back to Wenatchee.
Bart cared deeply for the Wenatchee Valley and its people. He served on the Wenatchee School Board and the board of the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, helped lead efforts to build the Numerica Performing Arts Center, and advised on projects that strengthened the community. Bart was known for asking the right questions, offering encouragement, and supporting initiatives that would benefit the greater good. He gave generously of his time and resources, embodying the phrase, "I came to serve, not to be served." Above all, Bart was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
Bart is survived by his wife, Sheila; daughter Cory and husband Rick Wray and their sons, Ryder and Leo; and son Cameron and wife Nicole, and their children, Hazel and Jude. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Mackenzie, who at age 21 was killed by a drunk driver.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 5, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your preferred organization, or to the Numerica Performing Arts Center or the Community Foundation of NCW, continuing Bart's legacy of strengthening the community he loved.