Dave Clark Retires
Professor David L. Clark retired at the end of the spring semester, 1999, after 36 years of teaching on the Madison campus. Dr. Clark held the W. H.Twenhofel professorship in the department. He received his undergraduate and Master's degrees from Brigham Young University and his PhD from the University of Iowa. He taught at Southern Methodist University and Brigham Young before coming to the UW in 1963.
He served as department chair in 1971-74 and as Associate Dean for Natural Sciences in the College of Letters and Science in 1986-91. Over the years Professor Clark directed 81 graduate students (56 MS and 25 PhD). Many of his students have gone on to become outstanding scientists and leaders in industry, the surveys, and academia. Clark's energy and drive are famous; at the time of his retirement he had published 138 papers in the geologic literature, covering two major fields: conodont paleontology and biostratigraphy and Arctic paleoceanography.
Professor Dana Geary organized a retirement celebration in June for Professor Clark and his family and friends. Many of his ex-students sent letters and e-mails of commendation, and Tim Carr and Reed Meek were able to attend in person and recall what Professor Clark had meant to them. Clark's colleagues also offered tributes and memories. But then the mood darkened as Professor Byers recounted Clark's receipt of the Oops! Award for unsupervised use of spray paint inside a rental van. Evidence was also brought to light of an ancient slush fund apparently controlled by Clark - his signature on the folder was publicly identified by Professor Dott, the department historian. Byers challenged Clark to explain the source of the huge account ($251.12). Clark calmly recounted how NSF had simply called him up one day and asked if he needed any money!
By summer's end, in typically efficient fashion, Professor Clark had cleared his office and labs, and disposed of his books and collections. He and Louise sold the house in Madison and moved to the Sonoma Valley in California.
