Robert Dean Clark

Robert Dean Clark fully lived his 94 years on Earth.

February 3, 1928 – September 2, 2022

Bob was born in Coshocton to Francis “Bunk” and Elsie Fern Clark, the third child of their six children. Bob was born just 30 minutes after midnight. His Mom always told him he was almost her little groundhog. His siblings were “JR” and Opal. After his birth, his brother “Whitey” and two sisters, Norma and “Pinky” were born. They lived on John St. and later moved to 13th St. right next to the Country Club Golf Course. All 6 of the Clark kids were expected to graduate from high school, and they did.

Bob grew up in a hardworking family and started working himself as a young boy. Being a hard worker was a trait he would keep his whole life. In the winter, he set pins at the local bowling alley on 6th St. called the Marathon. He was 13 and 14 years old. He was paid 15 cents a game. In the summertime he was a Caddie at the Country Club Golf Course. He made 20 cents an hour. He became a Golfer and played until he was 88.

He worked for Clary Gardens, delivering flowers, and helped pour the footer for their greenhouse.

He first worked at Clow’s in 1944 when he was 17. His father worked at Clow’s, his nickname was Bunk. When interviewed for the job, Bob was asked if he was related to Bunk Clark. He said, “Yes, Bunk is my father.” Bob started work the next day. His job was to clean the metal shavings from under the machine that made bomb casings. He made 43 and 1/2 cents an hour. He went back to school in the Fall and graduated from CHS, Class of 1945.

Aug.1, 1945 he went to work, full time. $1.72 an hour. Bob worked there almost 45 years. He also served as President of the Union for several years. Many of his co-workers became his lifelong friends!

In 1946, Bob went into the service. His brother “JR” was in the Navy, but he didn’t want anything to do with that – he couldn’t swim! So, he chose the Army. That idea didn’t work out very well for him, he was SHIPPED to Hawaii and later Saipan, and Guam. He was a Guard for the Japanese Prisoners of War. Then he was SHIPPED back to the States. He never learned to swim. He returned to Clow’s after serving his Country.

Bob was very much into playing and watching sports. He played on many teams in town. Ball leagues, golfing, and bowling leagues. Loved the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, and any Ohio State Buckeye team.

On Sept. 11, 1950 while working at Clow’s there was a Troop Train accident in West Lafayette. There was an urgent need for blood and Bob, along with many others, answered the call. They found out later that Clow’s paid them a full day’s work while they were away from the job, donating. Doing this started him on a lifelong habit. He donated 295 more times, reaching the 37 GALLONS mark. He was very proud of donating blood for the Red Cross.

He was a Sunday School Teacher at Coshocton Nazarene Church. He taught teenage boys and took them on a trip to Washington, D.C. and Cleveland Indians games.

Bob retired from Clow’s Feb. 28, 1990. He didn’t rest for long. He started working at the motel on Whitewoman St. He did various jobs while working there. Making even more friends with co-workers. After many years of working there, he was laid off and received unemployment at the age of 90!!

He was a good neighbor to everyone at the Downtown Mobile Village where he lived for 40 years. With his many friends, he loved to play Euchre, Hausey, Mexican Train, Rummikub, Racko, the list goes on. He and friends gathered at the Eagles, and the Moose. Also loved eating, and spending time at the Senior Center. And of course, loved Taco Bell!!

He attended Shepherd’s Christian Assembly where he could be heard singing. He knew all the words to the old hymns. He enjoyed the times spent with Pastor Starkey and friends.

He will be loved and remembered by many people for his jokes, smiles, playing sports, singing,

and the last thing he said to almost everyone…

“Love you, bye!”