Robert J. Clark

Reverend Robert James Clark, 91, passed away 7/23/16 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born in Greensburg, IN to Charles W. and Ethel B. Clark on 10 November, 1924, predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Rheba C. Clark, by only two months. He grew up in Connersville, IN, then attended Purdue University until he volunteered for WWII, serving in the infantry for two years. He was captured with his unit during the Battle of the Bulge and endured 3 months as a German POW at Bad Orb, Germany. He weighed 160 pounds when he entered service, and weighed 80 pounds when his prison camp was liberated. After discharge he matriculated at Harvard University, earning a BA in 1950. He felt called to become a Presbyterian Minister, enrolled at Princeton Seminary, graduating with Bachelors of Divinity in 1954. He met his wife, Rheba and her son Larry in 1952 during an internship ministry in rural Texas. They were married in 1954 and son Donald was born in Kansas City, MO during his first church assignment. Daughter Roberta was born at his second assignment in Indianapolis, IN. He served in another church in Winchester, IN before moving to Mt. Auburn Presbyterian, Cincinnati in 1964. He served in several churches full-time and substitute preached in the TriState Area, until he and Rheba moved to the Llanfair Retirement Community in 2012. He believed that all humans are equal in the sight of God and therefore actively supported civil rights before, during and after his children's formative years. He was an early advocate for compassionate treatment of those suffering from mental disorders and substance abuse, as well the rights of individuals to make their own end-of-life decisions.

Rev. Clark is survived by his children Lawrence Clark and Debi Hanks, Donald and Mary Clark, Roberta and Michael Hoffman, and by grandchildren and great grandchildren, Justin and Gavin Ashton, Taylor Hilaman, Sean and Jesse Clark, and Olivia Hoffman.

Memorial Service will be held 11AM on July 28 at Wells Chapel, Llanfair Retirement Community, 1701 Llanfair, Cincinnati, OH. A reception will follow in the Larchwood Apartments (next door to the chapel) in the first floor "Pub". Send flowers for service to 1701 Llanfair Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45224 or donations may be made to National League of POW/MIA Families, 5673 Columbia Pike, Suite 100, Falls Church, VA 22041.