Robert Vaughn Clark

Calais – Robert Vaughn Clark, 88, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the Calais Regional Hospital. Robert was born in Debec, N.B. Canada on August 24, 1921, son of the late William and Avis (Gass) Clark. He graduated from Madawaska Training School Class of 1940 and attended University of in Orono for two years, until he was drafted into the US. Army Air Corps. He served as a radio operator in WWII with the 132nd Army Airways Communication System Squadron in Azores, Casablanca, Algiers, Italy, Corsica and France. While in the Army, he married Wilmagene Ramsay on November 3, 1943 in Leavenworth, KS. Bob returned home to Maine and continued his education in Orono, receiving a bachelors of science degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in business in 1950. He was hired at Denny’s River Electric (now known as Eastern Maine Electric Coop), where he served as the first general manager. Bob retired in 1984 with over 30 years of service. He loved to stay active in the community and was a member of many organizations, including the Rotary for over 50 years, serving as president from 1964 – 1965; Calais Federal Savings Board of Directors; Calais City Council and Planning Board; Calais Chamber of Commerce, where he was a past president; Trustee for the First Congregational Church in Calais; NRECA (National Rural Electric Coop Assoc.) where he was the director for 24 years; Washington County Vocational Technical College Advisory Board; Northeast Public Power Assoc., where he was a past president; Gov. Reed’s Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Committee; Mark Maine Committee for Gov. Curtis; and was named the 1981 Northeast Regional Power Conference Man of the Year. Robert enjoyed photography, boating, fishing, gardening, woodworking, golfing and spending time at their camp in Robbinston. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by a brother, William Clark and his wife Mary. Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Wilmagene Clark; two daughters, Carol Ann Smythe and her husband Walter “Pete” of Standish, and Sherry Gene Pierce and her husband Richard of Oakland; four grandchildren, Shannon Gorman and her husband Christopher of Windham, Derek Smythe of Philadelphia, PA, Nathan Pierce and his wife Jody of Winthrop, and Benjamin Pierce of Vassalboro; four great-grandchildren, Ryan, Kayla and Dylan Gorman, and Alexander Pierce; a brother Douglas Clark and his wife Margaret of Meadow Vista, CA; and many nieces and nephews.