Walter Clark Obituary

I think of the Colonel often. He serves as my guide. When faced with a situation, I ask myself, "what would the Colonel do?"

Dear Ellen and family,
I sometimes look up from my desk at my diploma and see the Colonel's signature. That signature, that is found on all diplomas for many years, is emblematic of the Colonel's impact on thousands of young men. The embodiment of patriotism, courage and familial love, the Colonel, to me, was The Citadel. His torch has been passed to some of the most dedicated fighters of our country. We miss him deeply.
Love,
John and Pam Anderson

Mrs. Clark,
Thank you for your kind words about my three brothers. Although I did not attend The Citadel, I have always felt a part of it through my brothers and then, of course, through my son, Matthew Freniere '99. I also did quite a bit of guest lecturing for the health classes; as an officer in the US Public Health Service, I was able to share my nursing and health experiences with the cadets and I loved every moment of it. I am still on the roster to be a guest lecturer or to sit in as a substitute.

Now that I am retired, I hope to complete my masters at The Citadel as soon as I calm down and stop traveling/visiting so much.

Take care,
Marylouise Freniere Ganaway,
CAPT, US Public Health Service, Ret.
(US Navy Nurse Corps SEP 82-SEP 94)

Ellen, I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Col. Clark. Mike,and I respected,and appreciated him so much...We enjoyed the hospitality at your table. One of the fondest memories I have of Col. Clark is talking with him in your kitchen,and the warmth I felt. He will be missed,and I wish we all could have shared more precious memories. Love, Mike & Beverly Kline

DEAR ELLEN,
OUR SINCEREST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU. COL. CLARK WAS A PROUD MAN,I ONLY HAD A CHANCE ONE TIME TO MEET YOU BOTH AND THAT WAS IN CHARLESTON WHEN YOU CAME TO A BRAVO COMPANY RE-UNION. I HAVE THE HOUR-GLASS IN MY OFFICE THAT HE GAVE ME AND WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE CHIT-CHATS WE HAD. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY

JOHN AND SUZI SPERRY
SODUS, NEW YORK

Dear Ellen, Marion, Ben, and David:

I thank Ed Haskell for sharing your great loss with me. My 3 1/2 years ("72-'75) in the Military Science Dept at THE CITADEL gave me an unbounded admiration for Walt, as did my contacts with the THE CITADEL Corps in general and 3 years as the Company Officer of Kilo Company in particular. I also would like to draw on Tenneyson, but from "Morte d'Arthur", to share my vision of Walt and the legacy of his life and times at THE CITADEL:

Then loudly cried the bold Sir Bedivere:
"Ah! my Lord Arthur, whither shall I go?
Where shall I hide my forehead and my eyes?
For now I see the true old times are dead,
When every morning brought a noble chance,
And every chance brought out a noble knight.
Such times have been not since the light that led
The holy Elders with the gift of myrrh.
But now the whole ROUND TABLE is dissolved
Which was an image of the mighty world;
And I, the last, go forth companionless,
And the days darken round me, and the years,
Among new men, strange faces, other minds."

And slowly answer'd Arthur from the barge:
"The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfils Himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.
Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me?
I have lived my life, and that which I have done
May He within Himself make pure! but thou,
If thou shouldst never see my face again,
Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.
But now farewell. I am going a long way
With these thou seëst--if indeed I go--
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt)
To the island-valley of Avilion;
Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies
Deep-meadow'd, happy, fair with orchard-lawns
And bowery hollows crown'd with summer sea,
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound."

So said he, and the barge with oar and sail
Moved from the brink, like some full-breasted swan
That, fluting a wild carol ere her death,
Ruffles her pure cold plume, and takes the flood
With swarthy webs. Long stood Sir Bedivere
Revolving many memories, till the hull
Look'd one black dot against the verge of dawn,
And on the mere the wailing died away.

Ellen:

Kate and I were deeply saddened to learn of Col. Clark's passing. Please know that you and your family are in my and Kate's thoughts and prayers at this time of great personal loss. Col. Clark was an extraordinary soldier and gentleman whom I greatly respected and admired.

Kate and Edwin Haskell

Dear Marion-you are in my thoughts and prayers. What a distinguished gentleman he was!

Col Clark was a very important part of my "Citadel" experience, as he was for my brothers, Robert '76 and William '79. Our loss is God's gain. God bless you and your family.

The Freniere Family
Chuck Freniere '77

Dear Ellen, Marion, Ben, David and family.

Pat and I want to express our condolences at the death of
Col Clark. He was to me a mentor and a friend. I will always cherish Pat and mine visits to your place and sitting on the front porch dirnking ice tea and chatting about family and friends. Col Clark was on of the reasons I went to the Citalel. He will be truely missed by all.

Mark and Pat Crooks
'77

Dear Ellen, Marion, Ben, David and family -- I wish I had seen Walter during this past year, but my memories of him are as if it were yesterday. From the old days in Arlington to visiting him at the Citadel and with you at Wespanee -- these are cherished remembrances that have always stayed with me. It is comforting to have connected again, especially since we're now in Charleston and my husband Mark is at the Citadel. I so regret not seeing him more recently, but I am grateful for having shared a little bit of the unforgettable Col. Clark during his tremendous lifetime. What a figure he was in the lives of the four Larson girls next door and their parents. I know about the giant hole the loss of a father can leave, but I also know what he meant to all of you and that he will live on through you. Part of me thought he would never depart. Part of me still doesn’t believe it and I share in your loss and celebrate his life. I know I will see you soon. With warmest thoughts --

Col. Clark will be the benchmark that all past and future Commandants will be compared to. While living in Charleston, I have seen many come and go-none have commanded the respect as did Col. Clark. Firm...but Fair. I will always remember the informal leadership talks we shared as a staff at his home across the Ashley River. He was enjoying his pipe while we all waited timidly for the long awaited offer of a good splash of bourbon. Great man who influenced many. I will miss him and will treasure the memories.

I am deeply saddened by your loss. Please accept my condolences. Warmly

To Mrs. Clark and the whole family,
Your husband, father, and grandfather was my father's (Floyd Cooper) lifelong friend and we are all saddened by his passing. What a legacy he leaves behind! He will be missed greatly by all of the Coopers here in GA, especially by my dad. Blessings to you all at this difficult time,

Dear Ellen,
I was very sorry to learn about Walt. I very much enjoyed meeting & talking with him at Doris's 70th & later during our visit in Charleston & lunch at your lovely home.He was very special & a great historian. Please accept my sincerest sympathy. Dr. Floyd Davis

My sympathies and love are with you all during these difficult days. I wish you all love and hugs. Walt was one of the finest and most amazing men I have ever known.
Beth McDougald

Mrs. Clark and Family; I am sorry to hear of your loss and the loss of The Citadel Family member. A Citadel 'sister' with Bob '76, Chuck '77, and Bill '79, I heard many a story about the Colonel. I heard many of the stories retold when I became a Citadel Mother, Matthew '00. Many warm thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mary Freniere Ganaway, CAPT US Public Health Service, Ret.

we are proud to have met Walt in a circle of friends
nick and Margot

The Clark Family,

Colonel Clark was one of those "larger than life" men I met the first day of my "knob" year. He took the time to meet my parents, and even stayed in contact with them to let them know how I was doing. He was a very strong man who earned my truest respect. He was a great role model for me, and I hope I've been able to impart some of the leadership traits he taught me to those I've served with.

Mark Momberg - Class of '78'

To The Clark Family:

On behalf of myself, my family and The Citadel Class of 1978 I offer my deepest sympathy for your loss. I truly admired Col. Clark. He was, like my late father, part of a generation of military men who had a profound and positive effect on my life. Please find comfort in the certain knowledge that he lives on through the countless people whose lives he touched.

Marion, We are praying for you all during this challenging time. What an extraordinary man your father was. We wish we would have known him. You are a precious and dear sister. Our love to you and your family. Please let us know what we can do for you. Ken, Tami, Josh, Joseph, Anna, Abby, Jacob, John, Jonah and Aleah Joy

Clark Family,

My condolences and prayers at the passing of Col Clark. He was a fine soldier who served this county proudly, as well an inspiration to many classes at the Citadel. He will be missed. It was an honor and privilege to have known him.

A “Hello old friend” – from Colonel Walter B. Clark, has been the warmest welcome I have ever felt anywhere in this world. Whether ‘checking in’ over the phone - or one’s good fortune to visit The Clarks at Wespanee…who couldn’t feel the warmth and love both he and Aunt Ellen have extended to so, so many of us over the years. I have no fonder memories. God bless Aunt Ellen, until our next post Old Soldier.

Marion, as I told you when you called me a few days ago, I do not so much mourn the death of your father as I celebrate his long and honorable life. His tenure as Battalion Commander of 3/10 Mechanized Infantry at Fort Carson almost exactly coincided with my last year and a half as a boy-becoming-a-man Specialist-5 draftee. As battalion clerk I was basically your dad's private secretary for 18 months back in 1967-68 and spent a never-to-be-forgotten 1968 Christmas Eve at the Clark's home just a month or two before my life in the Army ended. But my close, warm friendship with your mother and "The Colonel" has always remained(I learned to feel comfortable calling your mother "Ellen" but "The Colonel" was and always will be "The Colonel!"). I was one of many, many lucky people whose path crossed your dad's, and whose life was changed forever as a result of that crossing. I loved The Colonel and will miss him and think of him often, as I have for the past 43 years.

Mrs. Clark, PLease accept my sincere condolences at the passing of COL Clark. He was certainly a great American and his inpact on those of us from The Citadel and the nation at large are better for having had him in our lives.

To the Clark Family:
I give Colonel Walter B. Clark, USA (Ret) '51 every bit of credit for teaching me leadership and the importance of being a "Citadel Man." He was a personal hero to me and I attempted to use the leadership skills he taught me in all I did, especially as a military officer. I am deeply saddened by his passing and will keep him and all of you in the Clark family in my daily prayers. Just as I always think of the shiboleth, "Remember Thy Creator in the Days of Thy Youth," I always remember the Colonel as the epitome of a great teacher, soldier, leader and patriot! God Bless him and all of you.

Dear Marion, and family, Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time of deep sadness. Col Clark sounds like he was a wonderful man, and had a huge impact on many lives. I wish I had the pleasure of knowing him. Love, Billie Holmes and family (Greenwood, SC)

Ben-reading about your father makes me regret not having known him. And though I have not seen you since high school-I assume you grew into yourself and continued to make him proud. Please accept my condolences for your loss, and my hope that the memories will provide comfort in the days ahead as you tell him goodbye.

Dear Mrs. Clark, Ben, Marion, David, Kym; I called Col. Clark my "military Dad" and he was so in the truest sense. He guided me in and out of the military. Col. Walter B. Clark a Christen Southern gentleman.

Dear Mrs. Clark, My sincerest sympathy for your loss. I enjoyed my talks with Col. Clark learning about his experiences serving our country. May his memory be a blessing to your and your family.

Carol J Manheim, PT

To the Clark Family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. COL Clark was, and will continue to be, a powerful and formative figure in my life and military career. It is an honor and a privilege to have known him. His impact on so many, including my own family, has been a blessing.
~Sulev Grant Sepp

Dear Mrs. Clark; Marion, Ben, and David,

Colonel Clark was such a profoundly important part of so many varied lives that across generations of Citadel men there are many mourning him as they would their own Dad. My children and I know him as an American hero and revere him as a man of character and honor. We will remember him for his many kindnesses and will seek to emulate his sincere interest in and compasssion for others. Please accept our deepest and sincerest sympathies.

With love and deepest respect, the Reas of Arlington and San Diego

Ellen and family,
Pam and I send our condolences and love. The Colonel was the consummate father, husband, teacher, soldier and an extraordinary American. We will miss him deeply.

To the entire Clark Family, please accept my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies for your loss, which I feel as well. -- Kalev Sepp, Citadel '75

(From "Ulysses" by Tennyson)

... There lies the port; the vessel puffs her sail:
There gloom the dark broad seas. My mariners,
Souls that have toil'd, and wrought, and thought with me —
That ever with a frolic welcome took
The thunder and the sunshine, and opposed
Free hearts, free foreheads — you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
Death closes all: but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Marion, you have my deepest sympathy at this time of loss for you and your family. I am praying for you, and I'm here for you, if you need a listening ear. Love, Sherry

Marion,
Sorry to hear about your dad. We will be praying for you and your family. Love you and see you soon.

Dear Marion & Family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. We pray that you can feel God's arms around you tightly. We love you.

My deepest condolences to the family of Walt Clark. I first knew him when he graduated from The Citadel in the Class of 1951 and I was teaching in the math department there. Later, when he was appointed Commandant of Cadets at The Citadel, I was The Registrar, and we saw to it that the military component and the academic component of the college cooperated with one another very smoothly.
May God rest his soul in peace.
Joseph Price Cameron

Ellen, My family and I are thinking of you all and sending our thoughts and prayers to you. I have wonderful memories of Walt and you and I will treasure them always. Please know that we are holding you in our hearts. Love, Betty Anne and Cook family

Walt was my Decatur, Ga. high school friend, pal, and close buddy for 67 years. Very difficult to say words to appropriately express his loss to the world. One tough hombre who will never be forgotten. Doris and I send our love to Ellen, the children, and family.

Marion,
As you mourn the loss and honor the memory of this strong leader, may the Omnipotent Father God bring His peace, comfort and joy to your family as you fellowship together.

With love,
Margaret

Very Dear Ellen and Family---Reading about this GREAT MAN in print only begins to describe his accomplishments in a well-lived life. He was an EXEMPLARY human being in every regard and to know him was to love and respect him. To you, his faithful supporter and soulmate, and to your fine family, I offer both my heartfelt sympathy and continued appreciation that I and my family have been BLESSED with your friendship for ALL these years. . . . .
LOVINGLY, SINCERELY, Jane Avera