Robert Caldwell Clark

The son of the late Vernon and Roberta Clark, Bob was born and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the oldest of three siblings. Bob had a lifelong passion for athletics, running track and playing soccer both in high school and while attending Maryville College in Tennessee. Bob graduated with a B.A. in Education and later went on to earn an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Bob met his beloved wife Sharon in Maryville, and they married in 1964. They had two sons, David and Alan. When Bob accepted a position teaching childhood education at Florida State University, the family moved to Tallahassee in 1974.

Bob was passionate about childhood education, and he mentored hundreds of student teachers over the decades at FSU’s College of Education. Bob excelled in his career, advancing from associate professor to professor, associate dean, and finally to acting dean. Above all, Bob’s career was defined by the warm support he offered his student teachers, which continued long after they had gone into the workplace.

Bob was an easygoing, friendly person who had a kind word for everyone. He was a loving husband and father, an exemplar of patience and understanding. He continued his involvement in soccer by coaching the youth teams his sons played on.

Bob stayed active following his retirement from FSU, getting back into ham radio, which had been a hobby of his since the 1960s, and traveling around the United States and even making it as far afield as Japan.

Bob touched countless people over the course of his life. He is survived by his sons David and Alan.

A memorial service will be held at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home (700 Timberlane Road) in Tallahassee on Thursday, November 6, at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to ECAH Animals, https://www.ecahanimals.org