Robert Charles Clark (Bob Clark) was born in Lancaster, California on September 16th, 1958. He was the son of Charles (Chuck) Steward Clark and Susan Kay Larmer.

He grew up in Oxnard, California as one of four brothers. From wandering home covered in scrapes and bruises from building (then crashing) go-karts, to having nighttime jam sessions in abandoned farmhouses, to working his first job down at the docks in Oxnard, Bob's early life was characterized by curiosity, adventure, and an "if it's bleeding, just rub some dirt on it" mentality.

A talented trumpet player from an early age, after graduating from Channel Islands High School (where he surprised and delighted everyone with his star turn as Charlie Brown in the school musical), Bob briefly attended Cal State Northridge pursuing a music degree before diving headlong into what would become a successful 20-year career as a professional trumpet player.

Bob's music took him all over the world, from the rim of the Coliseum at the 1984 Olympics to the parapets of Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland. He played a wide range of musical genres, recording with Guns N' Roses and touring the world with multiple groups, from The Temptations to Paul Anka, but his great love was jazz. If you were lucky, you might have caught him soloing at the Monterey Jazz Festival, recording demo tapes with "Drive All Night," playing at the Stockholm and Playboy Jazz Festivals, or "getting it done" with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra.

In between his many global adventures, Bob pursued his true passion, sailing. He sailed with his brothers Dave and Brian, buddies Fred Vance and Dick Velthoen, and a host of fellow sailors. Although he could be found on a wide variety of boats in those years, he frequently raced on Fat Tuesday, a customized Santana 3030, and Rival, a J35 that's still winning races to this day. Along with his brothers, he became so well-known up and down the California coast that several places had a rule that you could only have two Clarks on a boat at any one time.

It was at one of these many Regattas in California that Bob met his wife of 35 years, Heather Anne Lockwood (of Traverse City), who also happened to be racing that day. After striking up a post-race conversation, Bob and Heather spent the rest of the afternoon together, laughing and talking up a storm. Two hours later, he asked her to marry him (though it'd be a couple of years before she said "yes").

In 1990, they were married at the Old Mission Congregational Church, and by 1995, they decided to permanently move their young family from Los Angeles to Northern Michigan, where they bought their first house on Ne Ah Ta Wanta Road.

In 1999, Bob retired from playing trumpet professionally in order to spend more time with his family. With Heather, they raised their two kids, Kathryn (Katie) Clark and Charles Finley Clark, with summers spent on the bay and winters on the snow. A dedicated father, Bob coached Katie's 5th and 6th grade basketball teams, attended innumerable dance recitals, baseball, football and soccer games, and was a dedicated ski technician for both his kids and many young Grand Traverse Ski Club skiers.

Shortly after they moved to TC, Bob joined the Grand Traverse Yacht Club and helped to build the local Melges 24 fleet. Bob was a big part of the Melges 24 Class (locally and nationally) from the very beginning, and most recently sailed as Tactician on the 2025 Charleston Race Week Corinthian Champion team, Bad Idea. He was known by his sailing community as "a lifelong sailor, a legendary Corinthian crew member and beloved Melges 24 Class competitor, multi-national champion, and beloved friend."

Bob also found pleasure working on "his wife's boat", and cruising with her and their poodles while they enjoyed all that the Great Lakes have to offer.

While not on the water, Bob put his years of helping his Dad with home renovations and woodworking to use as a professional builder and sail maker.

Bob's life was tragically cut short the night of June 7, 2025, when he slipped into the water off the dock at the Sutton's Bay Marina.

Bob is survived by his wife Heather, his two kids Katie and Finley, his brothers Dave, Ed, and Brian, his nieces and nephews, and his many extended family and friends.

There will be a casual After Party at the Grand Traverse Yacht Club in Traverse City following a day on the water for the annual Red 8 Regatta on Saturday, June 14, 2025. If you're not racing Saturday, feel free to stop by from 5pm-8pm.

"We'll talk about sailing."

The family invites you to support the Grand Traverse Yacht Club Foundation with a donation in lieu of flowers (https://gtycf.wordpress.com/charitable-giving/).

Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com