In Memoriam: Arthur W. Clark

Arthur W. Clark (October 14, 1944 - August 2, 2024)

For the past several weeks Art Clark has been receiving hospital care and more recently transferred to nursing care. In all of this, Art’s intent became to return home and receive care there, in order to be with his family and to see the New York City skyline from their home one final time. Earlier this morning, Art Clark took his final breath. He was, as he wished, at home with his wife, Ginny, and their younger son, Billy, with his native (Queens) and beloved New York City in the distance.

Art’s spirit in these days was much the same spirit his entire life long, particularly these last nearly two decades. On December 22, 2007, Art received a life-saving liver transplant at New York Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital. For more than the past ten years Art has lived with cancer. Through it all, Art was determined to live fully and with joy. This spirit made it possible for him to press against every medical odd with a fortitude that amazed family, friends and physicians, alike.

Art and Ginny are deeply embedded in Saint Peter’s: they met here, courted one another here, married here, baptized their children here, delighted in grandchildren here. Art’s professional life in accounting led him to be a long-time member of the finance committee and the Saint Peter’s Trust. We have benefited for decades from Art’s sharp eye, keen financial acumen and long knowledge of Saint Peter’s history. And not only Saint Peter’s, but the wider Lutheran community: Art was a long-time Board member of Seafarers and International House, an important Lutheran ministry to those who work on cargo ships and at Metro-NY area ports, as well as to and with asylees

For all of Art’s professional and community engagement, family was at the core of his being. I came to know this first hand when I sat vigil for ten hours with Ginny, Billy and Bobby, their older son, almost 20 years ago in the transplant surgery waiting room at NY Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital. More than anything in these years, family is what Art devoted himself to. Traveling regularly to Long Island to visit Bobby and his family. Driving all over the country to visit extended family and friends. Taking sight-seeing trips with Ginny on river cruises and land excursions. Enjoying meals at home with Ginny and Billy.

Funeral arrangements will be determined and will be announced. This we know: Art’s final resting place will be in the Columbarium at Saint Peter’s. Until that time, I invite you to pray this prayer with Art and his family in your heart:

O God, our help in ages past
and our hope for years to come:
We give you thanks for Art,
who has followed your word
in this time and place.

As we remember Art before you in prayer,
strengthen us to follow Christ through this world
until we are carried into the harvest of eternal life,
where suffering and death will be no more.
Strengthen us to follow in faith
where you have led the way,
that we may at length fall asleep in you
and wake in your likeness;
to you, the author and giver of life,
be all honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.