Charles Clark Obituary

Hardly a day goes by that I don't think of, and miss, Charlie. I keep two of his books right here next to me on my desk. A hundred times since his unfortunate passing, I have wanted to contact him to ask him a question, or share with him a story that I know he'd enjoy. He was a very special guy, a unique friend...I feel lucky to have known him. He is very much missed, by me, and many others.

Sincerely,

Tom Dickinson

We still miss you, Charlie!

Wow. I was really not happy to find out, or to hear that this excellent political scientist writer died. It is such a tremendous loss for the world. He was wonderful at making you think. My condolences , from Hawthorne, CA.

I just learned of Charlie's passing. He was one of the first people I met in 1979 when I returned from Iran and began working at Time-Life Books in Alexandria. He was sharp, stand-up guy in his twenties then. He was a star then, and I knew he would go on to achieve great things. My deepest condolences to his family.

So sorry to hear. I was only 2 days older than Charlie. His legacy will continue on. His passing makes me realize how we all must live and love everyday.

Missing in Charlie's many activities was his part in initiating Yorktown's "Hall of Fame," and I'm sure there are many such legacies of the great neighbor, citizen, writer, and family man.

Charlie and I met only briefly while covering the same story about Fire Station Eight. He was a real gentleman. Kind and respected by all. I know him best by his superb writing and am very sorry we lost him too soon.

carolyn and i feel privileged to have met charlie yrs. ago in durham and will miss his quick wit and wide spectrum of interests. we will miss him. bob b.

I had a spectacular tour of Arlington with Charlie and 2 other 1971 classmates. Just the 4 of us. Charlie had , " All the personality in the World." Dean Daly

Dear Ellen, Elizabeth and Susannah,

I cannot believe Charlie is no longer with us. It was only a few months ago that he sat on the end of my sofa, shooting the breeze about Arlington politics, Congress, his New Orleans grandfather and anything else that popped into that fertile, curious mind of his. You had to stay on your toes when you talked to Charlie, but what a great conversationalist he was. He loved funny stories and would often erupt in a big, physical laugh that shook his shoulders.

Charlie was a good writer, too, and seemed so at ease in journalism. I will always remember being awe-struck many years ago, when he picked up the phone and landed an interview with the intellectual icon, Irving Kristol. He later told me there was nothing to it.

Of course, it was reporting on his beloved home town that Charlie excelled. Who knew that Audrey Meadows once lived in Arlington? Or that George LIncoln Rockwell died face up in Dominion Hills Shopping Center, next to a box of Ivory Snow and a copy of the New York Daily News? Those were the details Charlie lived for.

Charlie´s loyalty to Yorktown was both touching and admirable, and when I downsized to a condo, I knew exactly who to give my yearbook to. He was clearly having fun in retirement-writing books, thinking up new ideas, and enjoying his grandchildren. I am full of sorrow at his abrupt passing.

Ellen - Charlie B and I were so sad to hear of Charlie's passing. What a loss to the community and to our little circle of stretch class friends. Hoping you find peace and serenity at this time - we will remember Charlie's outgoing manner and his warmth.

Ellen: I am so sorry to learn of Charles passing. I remember we had a few good laughs together. Many condolences. N D ward

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

I met Charlie when I was 18 years old visiting Arlington Virginia for the first time flying in an airplane and being so far from home on the East Coast. He had wild curly hair and a great big smile when I walked in his house and met my East coast family. I enjoyed seeing him throughout the years especially his visits to Eugene Oregon going through all the family photos and memories created by the Clark generation.
You are now united with aunt Bev and your beloved dad Keith And many more of the loved ones whom some we met and others we read about. I´m so lucky to be part of this wonderful family creating more memories for the next generation of Clarks to share. Love and condolences to your family. Sincerely, your Cousin Krisanne

Charlie truly was a community builder. He loved Arlington and kept its honest history for so many to appreciate. He was always a good guy. I remember hearing stories of his gap year in Europe, sweeping floors in castles, and as one can picture, having a blast exploring places. I am so sorry for his family and loved ones.

Charlie was a gift to all of us interested in Arlington history. He will be missed.

This is very sad news for all the Arlingtonians (and others) who knew, respected and loved Charlie -- and for Arlington itself, whose history, foibles and developments he so gently and deeply chronicled for so many years. What a terrible loss. I loved running into Charlie at public events around town. He always knew the scoop but was still humble and curious enough to always ask me what I thought. "Haha," I said, "you're the expert!" Ironically, the last time I saw him was in July at a funeral -- for George Hobart -- where we shared some memories and promised to get together. I'll always remember Charlie.

We lived directly across the street from the Clarks in Rivercrest in the 1960's, and I recall epic Kick-the-Can games that went on well into the evening. Our dog, Schultz, didn't exactly see eye-to-eye with Humphry. My condolences; Charles was a good friend.

Growing up on Oakland Street across from the Clarks provided plenty of entertainment! While Charlie´s writing and musical talents (see photo of The Tombstones with neighbors Mike Westra, Ron Gosnell, Gary Glover and Charlie from around 1967) are well documented, I knew him first as an execellent kick ball player and carried that athleticism to baseball and football in his formative years. Great family, and my condolences go out to his wife, Ellen, and siblings Tom and Martha. Rest in peace

Charlie was truly a "hail fellow well met" in the most affirmative sense of that term. Congenial, friendly, engaging, and a wonderful story teller. And sharp, intelligent, and with a reporter's knowledge of a wide range of issues. I will miss our conversations about politics, governance, education, history, and just about everything else!

Charlie was a keystone Yorktown classmate in my eyes. He just seemed so connected, so in-tune with all things related to our class and to Arlington in general. He was a big supporter or mine during all the recent official (and unofficial) class reunions when I put together bands for these occasions. He loved music, and was very knowledgable about music. His thirst for information was ever present, interested in my work, my guitars, etc. No matter the subject, there wasn't a single time that I did not thoroughly enjoy talking with Charlie...! I will miss him for sure but I am also better for knowing him... Jimmy McCorkle

Charlie was a fellow student at Williamsburg Jr. High and Yorktown HS two years older than I, but extremely witty and kind. Our friendship started on a ball field playing football as kids and continued through adulthood speaking to him just last month when I was in Arlington. I always made it point to read his articles, and I provided input to one of his publications when he wrote about my grandfather's time as a tenant farmer on the land where Swanson Jr. High sits, then later when he started the Falls Church dairy he owned. Through the years Charlie would provide me with other tidbits and pictures. On one such occasion he forwarded a little league All-Star photo I was pictured in. What was interesting about the photo is also pictured were future General Stanley McChrystal and future CNN news correspondent Greg LaMotte. Charlie was always thoughtful and had a great smile. Mike Good

Charlie was creative, funny, gifted and kind. My first memories of him were from Mrs. Armstrong's fifth/sixth grade class. I remember him on the bus, the playground and in class. The kids who went through James Madison, Williamsburg and Yorktown during those years were very close, and Charlie was always a part of that tight group. He and I then worked together at Time-Life Books before I left for New York and Time's magazine group. Charlie was a talented writer who found his passion in local history. He gave a lot, and had so much more to give. His passing is a true loss, but we will all carry his memory forward. tyler mathisen

Walking into class the first day and seeing this guy named Charlie boldly wearing a bowtie. Another kid was too but Charlie had on the glasses to. So I guess he was going to law school. But first I just knew he was in charge of my third grade class 1961 with Mrs Hoyer. Considering our fellow classmates like Steve Knight, Rowena Tucker, Roddy Brown, Christine Hughes, and Willie Muse to name a few, Charlie was among the future successful and popular graduates. Ironically speaking he was a Yorktown Hall A Famer. I was fortunate enough to be invited to join Yorktown's 50th reunion committee with Charlie and several other great people. Charlie was where we all looked first for answers.
Charlie was special...

In our early days at Time-Life Books, Charlie was always a bright light. A talented journalist with a great wit and heart. He shared so much with so many. Many condolences to his loved ones.

I had the great pleasure of collaborating with Charlie on his book "Lost Arlington County." We spent many long hours together merging text and photos for that book, and Charlie would often offer surprising historical anecdotes about a particular site as we mulled over content and illustrations.

He was a walking, talking encyclopedia of Arlington and Northern Virginia history, unequalled in the depth and breadth of his knowledge on those topics. He ranks in the same category as the Nethertons, Cornelia Rose, Eleanor Templeman, and Sherman Pratt as deeply dedicated, enthusiastic, highly knowledgeable chroniclers, keepers, and purveyors of Arlington history. But he had his own unique style of wit and humor that leavened his work.

He will be missed by many, especially those who shared his passion for history and historic preservation in Arlington.

Tom Dickinson

Our family lived across the street from the Clarks in Rivercrest. Their dog Humphrey was the arch enemy of our dog Schultz, though. Charlie was always a standout, and this is a tremendous loss. My heartfelt condolences.

I love a man with a love of life and an opinion, and Charlie was certainly one of those. Decades ago we took down the section of fence that separates our back yards so our kids could play without having to hop over. Added a walkway at Charlie's suggestion a few years back. Now his grandchildren, who live just up the street, also use it to visit their grandparents. I think we'll just keep it there for as long as there are Clarks and McKenzies to use it. God bless the family in their mourning. I will miss my friend and neighbor of half a lifetime.

We met through our mutual friend Steve Dryden, and encountered one another occasionally thereafter in that and other contexts through Charlie´s life. I always enjoyed his company.

Charlie also liked to play music, he will be missed.

I worked at Time-Life Books for 12 years, but never knew Charlie. I only met him in 2021, after my brother died, and he kindly reached out and we met for coffee. I know he was well loved and will be missed by multitudes. My sympathy to his family. Mimi Harrison

Charlie was a dear man, always open to new ideas and a diligent recorder of many of them in his weekly column about Arlington. He was a gentleman with a droll sense of humor. Arlington is the lesser for his passing.

The world is a lesser place because Charlie is no longer in it. Heaven has gained a remarkable angel. Many fond memories of Charlie flood my mind and I will miss Charlie.

I met a young dapper looking kid that I just knew based on that bowtie would be in charge of my third grade class in 1961. And his assistant would be the only other kid bold enough to where such an instrument around ones neck. Don't remember his name. Considering a few fellow classmates, Rowena Tucker, Willie Muse, Steve Knight, Christina Hughes, Roddy Brown, just to name a few, would find Charlie rightfully among the future elite, successful and popular graduates.
I was given a wonderful opportunity joining Yorktown's 1971 50th Reunion Committee which Charlie was an instrumental part of. Got to see I was right in third grade thinking that kid with the glasses AND a bowtie would go along way. :)