Robert Paul “Bob” Clark
Robert Paul “Bob” Clark, 81, died on Tuesday, September 6 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Bob was born on June 1, 1941, in Flora, IL, the son of James M. and Marie T. Geiben Clark. He married the love of his life, Maureen Butler of Chicago, on July 29, 1972. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. She survives him. He is also survived by his daughter Bronwyn (Patrick) McDaniel, his grandson Samuel Robert McDaniel and granddaughter Anna Marion McDaniel, all of Chicago, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Peggy Milam and Jane White, and his brother, James F. Clark.
Bob and Maureen moved to Springfield in the 1970s and Bob enjoyed a long career with the State of Illinois, first with the state Office of Education (now the Illinois State Board of Education), and then with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, where he started and led a number of bureaus focused on research and evaluation. Prior to that he taught Sociology at St. Dominic College and the University of Portland.
Bob received both his bachelor’s and his master’s degrees in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame. He was a proud ND grad, and enjoyed supporting the local chapter of the Notre Dame Club. And most Saturdays in the fall he could be found tuning in to the Irish football game.
He was an avid reader and learner. Anthropology, archeology, and geology were among his favorite topics, and he enjoyed visiting archeological sites. After college, he received a National Science Foundation Fellowship to study Anthropology for a summer in Colorado. He was a long-time volunteer docent at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Until recently, could be found there on Fridays, delighting in sharing “500 million years of Illinois history” with visitors. He was also a passionate advocate about the effects of climate change.
Bob was a seasoned outdoorsman enjoying fishing, hiking, and camping. He spent many happy hours fishing with his brother, close friends, and daughter. He loved to travel through the mountains and national and state parks of the American west, and had a special fondness for the people and natural wonders of Nebraska, always finding a way to spend time there on his travels, and encouraging others to discover the joys of the state. Bob favored exploring the road less traveled, bestowing on his wife, daughter and grandchildren a love of the outdoors and rural life that they continue to carry on.
Bob and Maureen are long-time parishioners of Christ the King. Bob loved “holding down the bass section” in the choir, among dear friends who had sung and celebrated together for many years.
Bob’s kind heart, generous spirit and sense of humor will be remembered fondly by all who loved him.
Visitation: 4 – 6 pm, Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Funeral Mass: 10:00 am, Monday, September 11, 2022 at Christ the King Church with Reverend Christopher House officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s name to the Illinois State Museum.
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