Carl Lee Clapp

Dr. Carl Lee Clapp died at Newfield House, Plymouth, MA on 30 September 2024 at the age of 92. Carl was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on April 25, 1932, the eldest of two sons to the late Robert Jerrold and Dorris Moody Clapp.

Carl graduated from Mount Herman school in 1950 and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst before joining the military in 1951. He entered the Navy in the Dental Technology program and eventually became a Navy pilot. He got his wings in 1953, and as a Lieutenant JG (junior grade) was stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. After active duty, he spent several years in the US Naval Reserves, stationed at South Weymouth Naval Air Station. During his years in the Reserves, he met and married Nancy (Monbleau) of Harwich Port, and attended Tufts Dental School, graduating in 1962. That same year the couple moved to Harwich Port and bought the South Street property that had belonged to Carl’s parents. He began his dental practice in what had been his mother’s beauty salon, and Nancy took on the running of Clapp’s Guest House, which had opened in 1937. During his career, he was inducted into the American College of Dentistry, an honor recognizing outstanding professionalism, community service, and personal integrity.

Carl lived most of his life on Cape Cod in the town of Harwich and was passionate about Cape Cod, Harwich, and conservation. He was chairman of the Harwich Planning Board when the Town’s Master Plan was developed, and while chairman of the Conservation Commission, led the effort to preserve several parcels of land, protecting them from future development; one area is now the home of the Town Gardens. He also served on the Board of Health and the Capital Outlay Commission.

Carl and Nancy enjoyed travel, and visited more than 25 countries in their later years. Carl loved to share stories of his Navy flying days and travels with friends and family. His most cherished trips were a family cross-country camping trip to Alaska and a trip to Tanzania in 2008, where Carl and Nancy took all their children and grandchildren on an unforgettable adventure in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Carl will be remembered for his devotion to family, his passion for Cape Cod, his love of flying and enthusiasm for learning and travel. He was predeceased by his wife, his parents and his brother, Ronald. He leaves four children: Pamela (Greg) Hinkle, of Plymouth, Robert (Melissa) Clapp, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Jennifer (David) Jones, of Chicopee and Becky (Rob) Halverson, of Leadville, Colorado; and five grandsons: Andrew and Brian Crafts, Christopher (Kelly) and Eric Clapp, and Ian Hinkle.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 4 at 10:30 AM at Pilgrim Congregational Church on Main Street in Harwich Port.