Mr. Charles "Dick" Richard Clark, of New City, New York, born on May 24, 1933 in Aurora, Illinois, to the late Coronal Minninger and the late Harry L. Clark, passed away at age 85 on November 8, 2018 in Good Samaritan Hospital in New York.
As the son of a U.S. Air Force officer growing up during World War II, Dick moved with his family nearly every year before the age of 13. He learned quickly how to make new friends and impress classmates with his skills as a wordsmith and illustrator. Although he instantly found a way to fit in, he was always ready for the next town, the next group of friends, the next audience to win over.
When the war ended, Dick's family settled in Manhasset, New York, where he and his sister Harriette developed life-long friends. For the first time Dick lived full-time with Harry -- "The Bear" -- eager to please a father he was only just beginning to get to know. He also looked to his high school football coach, Ed Walsh, as a source of paternal love and support.
Upon graduation Dick attended Colgate University for two years, then moved to New York City to attend Pratt Institute. The draft was still in effect, and deferments were not granted to "budding artists," as Dick wrote in his personal autobiography How I Got This Way. So Dick joined the Air Force, following in the footsteps of his father. In 1955, Dick was accepted into the elite "Tiger" flight training program, but chose instead to design posters for the recruiting publicity center on Governors Island. As Dick recalled in How I Got This Way, the decision was partly made on the advice of his father, who told Dick he was flattered, but "I've got you figured as a romantic." Picturing his son easily distracted by the beautiful sky, birds and clouds, Harry told Dick he worried he might fly into the side of a mountain.
Dick rented his first apartment on E. 25th Street in 1956. Living in Manhattan gave him access to the vibrant art and music culture, where Dick fell in love with Jazz. He got his first job working in the advertising industry as an art director, at the famed McCann Erickson. Here he met his first wife, Leann Bancroft, a Smith College graduate and advertising copywriter. They were married for four and half years. Although the marriage ended in divorce in 1962, they remained close friends for many years, well after he met and married Susanne. Dick's children cherished their "Aunt Leebers," delighting in her knack for poking fun at their larger-than-life father.
A new bachelor, Dick began working on Madison Avenue at J Walter Thompson. He took on a new role as art director on commercial shoots. The job sent him traveling to Europe, where Dick - ever the bon vivant - fit in vacation time when he could. On a ski trip to Switzerland in March 1965, he met Susanne Gestrich-Rabe, a 26-year-old beauty from Berlin, Germany. Susanne was vacationing with her family and did not speak English. Still she would soon be convinced -- in a language other than her own -- to move to New York to spend her life with him. Dick wrote in his autobiography that this was when he felt extremely lucky.
Dick and Sanne were wed in Manhasset on June 21, 1965. A year later their daughter Cecilie Clark was born. Greener pastures brought them out of the city and to South Mountain Road in New City, where they built a family and community. Dick commuted to work in Manhattan. They had a son, Peter, in 1967, and a daughter, Johanna, in 1971.
Dick continued to thrive as an advertising man during the heyday of the industry. His charm and warmth - which he carried with him from his boyhood days in primary school - easily earned him close friendships, both in and out of work. He built a reputation as a director whose commercials were as clever as they were hilarious. He believed the best way to inform consumers was to entertain them, and making people laugh was his secret weapon. He often cast himself, as in the acclaimed commercials he made for Xerox, Alka Seltzer and Arby's - still watched as industry classics on YouTube. Dick won an Ace Award for his excellence in directing television commercials, the year he made the Alka Seltzer spot, "Now THAT's a spicy meatball." Dick retired in 1993.
At home Dick's days always began the same: sitting in a bathrobe with the New York Times spread across the kitchen table. He mastered the crossword weekday puzzle, and welcomed the slightly more challenging puzzle on the weekends. He honed his carpentry skills building much of the interior of his own home. From his small basement woodshop, he churned out innumerable objects large and small. He crafted presents and art work for his family, eager to show love by flexing his creative muscle. Dick filled his life with music. He played Banjo in his earlier years, then ukulele, and eventually graduated to stand up bass - often jamming for hours with one of his many musician friends.
He treasured being close to the arts and culture scene of New York City, exposing his children from a young age to all that the city had to offer, especially Broadway shows and concerts. A master storyteller himself, he was never swayed when a family member's attention waned during one of his long tales. He'd just call an imaginary dog "Doots," to finish the job of loyal listener. When no dog came, he'd say in a wry theatrical voice, as if acting in one of his commercials: "Where is that dog?"
Dick cherished the relationships he formed through Alcoholics Anonymous, which he joined in 1986. In November, 1990, Dick permanently gave up drinking alcohol. This year marked his 28th year of sobriety. Over the years Dick became a trusted source of wisdom and support to many battling an addiction to alcohol, both in and outside of the Fellowship of A.A.
Dick was the loving husband of Susanne Clark. He is survived by his son, Peter Clark; daughters, Cecilie Clark and Johanna Clark; sister, Harriette Cook; and grandchildren, Christian Clark, Lindsay Clark, Audrey Bosniak, and Charlotte Bosniak. The funeral home will be Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service, Inc., 321 South Main Street, New City, 8452180469. The service is on Saturday, November 17th from 2-4 p.m., with selected speakers at 3 and open "Quaker style" memorial after that. Hugs encouraged, fond memories appreciated and laughter welcomed.
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