Clarence "Hank" Shank

CLARENCE SHANK As with the reverberating sounds of live orchestras that have all but vanished from the famed Las Vegas Strip, our city has lost another treasure, Clarence Gill "Hank" Shank, a man integral to our community both as a brilliant musician and successful real estate broker. Hank Shank, of Las Vegas, passed away June 5, 2013. He was born April 26, 1916, in Steubenville, Ohio. Hank began piano studies at an early age. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was performing professionally. During World War II, he played with Glen Gray's Casaloma Orchestra, Tommy Tucker, and the Jimmy Richards Orchestra, settling in Chicago after the war. He chose a freelance career there which eventually led to stints with the Oriental Theatre and Chez Paree orchestras. Hank became a part of a golden age in music playing for Judy Garland, Jack Benny, Betty Grable, Dan Daley, Donald O'Connor, Eleanor Powell, Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, Jackie Mason, Jack Carter, Jack Carson, Tony Bennett, Yvonne De Carlo, Tony Martin, Mills Bros, Marlena Dietrich, Bing Crosby, Billy Eckstine, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Jerry Vale, Bobby Darin, Burl Ives, Dorothy Dandridge, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Abbe Lane, Helen O'Connell, Pearl Bailey, Eve Arden, Robert Goulet, Carol Lawrence, Olsen and Johnson, Ben Blue, and Patti Page. In 1954, he moved to Las Vegas to join the popular Mary Kaye Trio. Later, he became a member of the Flamingo Hotel Orchestra. It was at this time that Hank, always striving, began to study real estate leading to that proud day in 1961 when the doors opened for the first time at Hank Shank Realty on Hoover St. For the next several years, Hank essentially led two lives, real estate broker by day and pianist by night, becoming the orchestra leader at the Aladdin Hotel. Juggling two professions was a daunting task which he managed with distinction while also serving as president of Paradise Strip Investment Company. Moving to new offices on Bruce St., Hank realized it was time to devote his inexhaustible energies primarily to real estate, while still making occasional "guest appearances" at the piano. Hank Shank Realty was a mainstay of the community melding his business acumen and high ethical standards. It was his unwavering adherence to these standards upon which this successful business was founded. He was a proud member of Toastmasters International, Kiwanis Club, Shriner's and Musicians' Locals 369 (Las Vegas) and 10-208 (Chicago). He was the devoted husband to Billie Tripp Shank; he is also survived by his son, David; daughter, Medea; daughter-in-law, Corinne; son-in-law, Doug Snyder; and two beloved grandsons, Matthew and Christian Snyder. Hank was a generous and charitable man. Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Monday, June 24, at Palm Mortuary 7600 S. Eastern Ave. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Salvation Army or Shriner's Children's Hospital in his name.