Robert Jenkins Clark - 27 East

Robert Jenkins Clark

author on Feb 4, 2009

Robert Jenkins Clark, Ph.D., of Southampton died on December 28 at Southampton Hospital. He was 95.

Born May 19, 1913, in Chicago, Illinois, he was raised in California and spent his summers surfing and swimming in Hawaii. According to family, he approached life with fearless vigor and vitality. Upon completion of high school at the young age of 16, he embarked on a world tour with his mother, traveling into unmapped territories—an experience that would shape the rest of his life.

He graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor of arts in psychology. While at Stanford, he became passionate about baseball and football and played on the Stanford football team. He later qualified as a swimmer on the 1932 U.S. Olympic team in Los Angeles.

He went on to train at West Point, where duty, honor and country became his creed. Survivors recalled that Dr. Clark took the utmost pride in his involvement at West Point, noting that his experience there shaped how he viewed himself. It lead him to a military career and his work at Texaco Research Laboratories and Pan Am Airways.

Although his formal military experience ended with an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he conducted the rest of his life with the discipline and training he gained from these former experiences.

Among his many accomplishments, including earning a master’s degree in engineering from Harvard University and a doctorate in economics from New York University, he was a master in tae kwon do and co-author of two books, “Korean Karate: The Art of Tae Kwon Do” and “Black Belt Karate.” His literary works also included more than 2,000 published articles, including a weekly newspaper column on horse racing that allowed him to travel extensively, thus combining his love of travel and horse racing.

He went on to assume the positions of professor of economics and karate teacher at West Point, Princeton University, Brown University, Fordham University, New York University and Providence College. Later, he taught economics at Suffolk Community College and finally at Dowling College until the age of 89.

As an economist, he focused on international investment, working in Thailand, India, Spain and Portugal. Through his extensive world travel he developed a small network of friendships, which he maintained in various countries throughout his life.

Family said this week that he was daring, bold and fearless, and enjoyed horse racing and race car driving with a passion. He took enormous pride in his Daytona and Testarossa Ferraris and his artistic skill in maneuvering them. He fondly named the Testarossa “Francesca” and refused to let her go before his death.

According to family, his determination to live life to the fullest was governed by producing more than consuming; and though many misinterpreted his philosophy, he always made a conscious not to deplete the world’s resources, which he always said were in limited supply.

His family recalled that Dr. Clark lived a magnificent and dignified life, determined to steer his own course. They added that he was a teacher of life, skill and wisdom who took great pride in his students. The impact he had on them is evident, they said, in the way in which they honor his life lessons. Many of them went on to become recognized experts in their fields.

A wake was held on January 2 at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton and a funeral service officiated by the Reverend Peter Larsen was held on January 3 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Southampton. Interement was private.

You May Also Like:

Southampton Police Reports for the Week of July 3

WESTHAMPTON BEACH — Marcelino Perez-Tax, 56, of Westhampton Beach was arrested on June 29 at 8:36 p.m. and charged with misdemeanor DWI. Village Police said Perez-Tax had a blood alcohol level of .08. He was pulled over after being observed driving on the shoulder and failing to stay in his lane, police reported. His vehicle was seized by police because he had a previous DWI conviction in Southampton Town in November of 2013. SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE — Village Police received a report of a stolen vehicle from outside a Main Street business at 11 a.m. on June 25. A responding officer ... 2 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

East End Little League Finishes Strong in District 36 Tournament

The East End Little League 12-and-under baseball All-Stars finished strong in District 36, winning their ... by Drew Budd

County Warns of Stepped-Up DWI Enforcement for Summer, Encourages Drivers To Take Ride Shares When Drinking

Suffolk County Sherriff Erron Toulon and County Executive Ed Romaine warned drivers this week that the county will be rolling out a new anti-DWI campaign that will feature stepped-up enforcement of drinking and driving laws and public outreach to discourage drunk driving. The sheriff’s office said that the county will step up patrols focusing on DWI enforcement and on-road sobriety checkpoints throughout the county, starting this coming weekend and continuing throughout the summer. Toulon said his office’s STOP DWI unit is on pace to break a record number of DWI arrests this year and encouraged young adults to turn to ... by Staff Writer

Southampton Town Moves To Rezone Hampton Bays Gateway, Potentially Halting Cannabis Shop

Southampton Town has proposed rezoning a portion of Montauk Highway leading into the Hampton Bays business district — a planning realignment that was recommended long ago and brought forward now in what appears to be an attempt to derail plans for a cannabis dispensary in an abandoned bank building, which has faced public opposition. The Town Board held a public hearing last week on the proposal to rezone about 26 properties along Montauk Highway to the east of the Hampton Bays hamlet center from “highway business” to “hamlet commercial.” The change would mean smaller-scale development, more green space between structures ... by Michael Wright

New Southampton School Board Member Questions Administrator's Salary

In the wake of Dr. Jaime Bottcher’s recent departure from the Southampton Union Free School District, High School Principal Dr. Brian Zahn has stepped into her role as the new assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. But it didn’t come without a fiery back-and-forth between Superintendent of Schools Dr. Fatima Morrell and School Board newcomer Rodney “Chip” Pierson, who raised concerns over the new administrator’s $223,000 salary during a Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night. He noted that Bottcher earned $202,000 in the same role. “Now we’re putting a new person in at this position — how do we ... by Michelle Trauring

Southampton All-Stars Finish Up Play in Respective District 36 Tournaments

For the first time in years, Southampton Little League entered three different teams in this ... by Drew Budd

Class of 2025 Leaves Its Mark on Westhampton Beach School District

For Westhampton Beach Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carolyn Probst, the Class of 2025 is special ... by Desirée Keegan

'How Far I'll Go': Southampton Graduates Ready To Soar

Ashley Uruchima stands on the Southampton High School graduation stage, looking out at the audience ... by Michelle Trauring

Hampton Bays Seniors Represent Community With Pride

Hampton Bays High School Principal Christopher Richardt is moved and excited by current and future ... by Desirée Keegan

McClelland, Kapon Lead Bridgehampton Class of 2025

Avery McClelland, who will attend the University of Virginia in the fall, and Sarah Kapon, ... by Stephen J. Kotz