Daniel W. Clark

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death April 26, 1999 of Daniel W. Clark in Falmouth.

Daniel W. Clark, a seaman and later Second Mate aboard Atlantis in 1945-46, was born in 1918. Although he worked only briefly for WHOI, many knew him through his long association with the Institution as a marine contractor in Woods Hole. He assisted WHOI with many projects through the years, from dock maintenance and repairs on the ships to construction and deployment of a meteorological buoy and other instruments for WHOI staff and students, among them former Director Craig Dorman while he was a graduate student. He is perhaps best known to WHOI staff for construction of R/V Lulu in 1965 to serve as the support vessel for the new submersible Alvin. Dan wrote the estimate for the ship’s construction on a shingle.

Dan Clark also worked on other major local projects, including repairing a damaged electrical cable supplying power to Martha’s Vineyard in 1989 and dredging the anchorage channel in Wellfleet Harbor. His generosity and willingness to help is known to many. Among the beneficiaries of his efforts was George Cadwalader, who credits Dan more than any other individual with helping him launch the Penikese Island School. Dan is survived by six daughters and two sons, and by seven grandchildren. His wife, Mavis (Tutin) Clark, died in 1996. A memorial service is planned for May 15 at the Episcopal Church in Woods Hole. Memorial donations may be made to the Leonard Boyd Chapman Wild Bird Sanctuary, 640 Mount Isreal Road, Center Sandwich, NH 03227.