Leonard Hanley Clark, 91, died on Sunday, December 23, 2012. Leonard was born in Buffalo, NY to the late Irving E. and Elizabeth Hanley Clark on August 23, 1921 and was raised in Rochester, NY.
He graduated from Wyoming Seminary in Wilkes Barre, PA in 1939 and then attended Syracuse University where he was involved in their rowing program and a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity. He graduated in 1943 with a degree in Business and attended Officer Candidate School at Columbia University. Commissioned in the U.S. Navy as a Lt. jg, stationed in the South Pacific during WWII from 1943 until the end of the war, Leonard was with the Standing Landing Craft Unit, No. 24 and part of the invasion for the battle of Leyte Gulf. Duty and honor to his country were paramount to him throughout his life.
He married his dear wife, Elizabeth, in 1947, and they initially settled in Syracuse. But, he began his business career in earnest with Standard Pressed Steel Technologies headquartered in Jenkintown, PA in 1948 as a sales representative and rose to the position of Director of Investor Relations, retiring in 1989. Leonard and his family moved to the Philadelphia area in 1956, when he received a promotion in the home sales office for Standard Pressed Steel Technologies. Loving his work life in sales, marketing and public relations, he became a manufacturer’s representative for Feldmeier Equipment Inc. of Syracuse NY, until he finally retired in 2006.
He was a pure gentleman in every sense and lived by the credo “do unto others.” He was a devoted husband and the consummate father to his daughters. But, he was most known for his sense of humor and joke telling abilities. He could talk to anyone – from any walk of life … in any type of situation…about any subject – sports, history, art, the classics, current events, economics, jazz, and the opera. He was a wealth of knowledge on many subjects. He and his wife traveled to New York City to enjoy the museums and the opera on many an occasion.
Leonard was a member of several clubs in Philadelphia including Bachelors Barge Club and the Button, where he enjoyed the camaraderie, spirited conversations and dinners on a semi weekly basis; the Penllyn Club in Gwynedd where he enjoyed tennis, platform tennis, Tuesday night cocktail parties, and picnics in the summer with friends. And, for 45 years, he was a member of Manufacturers Golf and Country Club where he enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children and friends. He was a man of faith, a devout Episcopalian and attended St. Thomas’ Whitemarsh every Sunday for the 8:00 AM services and then attended Chapel of The Cross in Chapel Hill, NC after moving to Chapel Hill eight years ago.
Leonard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Hughes Clark, of Chapel Hill, NC, previously of Blue Bell, PA; daughters Darcy Clark Rowell and husband John of Princeton, MA, Elizabeth L. Clark and husband, Courtney West, of Alexandria, VA; and nieces and nephews. His brother, Emory E. Clark, preceded him in death.
A private family Eucharist service and burial will be conducted at St Thomas’ Whitemarsh, PA. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Leonard’s name may be made to the The Chapel of the Cross, 304 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or The Highlands at 1001 Sheaff Lane, Ft. Washington, PA 19034.
The Clark family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham. Online memorials, www.hallwynne.com select obituaries.
Gale Morgan
To Lynn, Darcy, and Liz and their husbands. It is with great sadness that I write this. However, I will remember so many happy and laughing moments with your husband/father on the campus of Lake Erie College where I first met him, in Worcester on his visits there, and when Flip and I went to visit Liz and Len in Chapel Hill. He brought positive energy wherever he was and you can’t ask for more. You also can’t ask for much more than 91 very good years. So, though, we are sad he lived long and he lived well. Thinking of you all. Gale and Flip
leonard magargee
I remember brother “Bolt” very fondly. Many, many nights I sat next to him at dinner at the Button and always enjoyed the humor and conversation. I felt he really was a “friend of mine”. Peel
James A. Meadowcroft, MD
The members of Bachelors Barge Club will never forget our “Brother Bolt”. Gentlemen like he was, are a once in a lifetime encounter. His presence always made an evening special. He will be missed.
Brother Mede, President
John A. Lotd
Brother Bolt- I was proud to know and spent time with him. Brother g.
Jeanne Feldmeier Jackson
Dear Mrs. Clark, Darcy and Liz,
It’s with great sadness that I write this as your father was always so wonderful to all of us – he was such a good friend of my parents and always made us “children” laugh. He was a wonderful salesman and could talk to anyone – we loved him.
As I know we are very luckey to have had our parents for much longer than most and I’m certain you cherished every minute with “Uncle Len” as we are fortunately doing with my parents.
Please accept my condolences,Jeanne
Carolyn Appelman
TO Darcy and family,
Although I met your Dad only once,I have enjoyed hearing so many wonderful stories about him over the years.So while I’m sure that you will miss him terribly,perhaps these memories will provide some comfort during difficult days.
James Cornacchia
To the Clark Family,
On behalf of the Psi Upsilon Trust Association of Syracuse NY, we would like to offer our sincere condolences for your loss.
We will publish a memorial notice in our next issue of the Pi Garnet Newsletter which is sent to all active alumni of the Chapter.
Sincerely,
Jim Cornacchia Pi ’86
VP, Psi Upsilon Trust Association