Robert Downs Clark

Robert Downs Clark, Esquire, 67, of Branford, Connecticut, and until recently a long term resident of New Canaan and Wilton, died on Thursday June 29, 2006 at Yale-New Haven Hospital of complications due to leukemia. Bob is survived by his son, Robert Downs Clark, Jr. of New York City, NY and his daughter, Ashley Adams Knecht. He is additionally survived by two grandchildren, Ethan John Knecht, age 8 and Laura Adams Knecht, age 5. Bob is also survived by his first wife, Merle Tuck Clark Peterson of Islamorada, FL. He was predeceased in January 2006 by his second wife, Carolyn Gross Clark of Branford, CT. Bob was born in New York City on August 11, 1938. He graduated from Phillips Academy Andover in 1956. He attended Dartmouth College and graduated from New York University in 1962. He was also a graduate of New York Law School. As his career and family life evolved he resided in Garden City; Lake Placid; Point O? Woods, Fire Island; New Canaan; Wilton and most recently on the shores of the Branford River. For almost 40 years, Bob enjoyed practicing law in New York and Connecticut, specializing in the areas of trusts, estates and personal income taxes. During this period, he utilized his experience in business, law and government and became a partner in a Long Island law firm, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel to a publicly traded company and Counsel to former New York State Senator, John R. Dunne. His greatest rewards in life came from helping others. He was able to do this on a daily basis whenever a client walked into or called his law office. Weeks prior to death, he had proudly attended his 50th class reunion at Andover where he had served as class agent. Bob was a Trustee of the Deo B. Colburn Education Foundation, of Lake Placid, NY, which provides scholarships to area high school graduates entering college. He was also a Life Trustee of the New Canaan Congregational Church?s Raymond Fund for interim ministers. We will remember Bob in many ways: for the joy he took in his life as a gracious host who frequently gathered with friends, an avid tennis player and fan, a skier, a shellfish devotee, a gardener and a lover of kayaking on the Branford River. He was member of The Exchange Club of New Canaan since 1983. An active and dedicated member of AA, he helped many others in their quest to achieve a better way of life. He was a spiritual man who sought strength from daily prayers, meditation, and his Church. We will remember Bob - husband, father, grandfather and dear and loyal friend. A memorial service will be held at The Congregational Church of New Canaan at 23 Park Street in New Canaan, CT on Saturday August 12, 2006 at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob?s memory may be sent to The Church of Point O?Woods, Point O?Woods, New York 11706.

Robert Downs Clark

August 11, 1938 - June 29, 2006