Hubie Clark Jr. was tennis player, engineer

DOWNEY – Earnest Hubert “Hubie” Clark Jr., 88, of Aliso Viejo, passed away peacefully on April 24 at his home. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Patty) Clark, and children, Stephen Clark and his wife Susan, daughter-in-law Margaret Clark, Timothy Clark and his wife Shirley, Daniel Clark and his wife Cynthia, Scott Clark, and Rebecca Clark Kane and her husband Stephen.

He was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Clark. Hubie was the grandfather to 14 and great-grandfather to seven.

Hubie was born Sept. 8, 1926 in Birmingham, Ala., to Ernest Hubert Clark Sr. and Grace May (Smith) Clark. He attended Burbank High School where he met his bride-to-be, Patricia Margaret Hamilton.

Between the years 1943 and 1947, he graduated high school, earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude) from the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), served three years of active duty with the United States Navy, earned his Master’s degree from Cal Tech, and married Patty Hamilton - all before he was 21 years old.

In 1947, Hubie began his career as an engineer working for Baker Oil Tools in the City of Commerce. He advanced rapidly and became president of the company in 1962 and chief executive officer in 1964.

He was the Chairman of the California Chamber of Commerce during the George Deukmejian administration and was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmospheres.

The YMCA was a big part of Hubie’s life, and he eventually became Chairman of the National YMCA Board. He was also very involved with Harvey Mudd College, where his special interest was the Engineering Department. He was instrumental in forming the engineering curriculum and was the first “non-Mudd” Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Harvey Mudd College.

In his free time, Hubie participated in tennis tournaments with Patty and friends from the Downey Tennis Club.

In lieu of flowers, his family asked for donations to the Mission Viejo YMCA Adventure Guides program in Hubie’s memory.

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Published: May 14, 2015 - Volume 14 - Issue 05