April 21, 2021
MKL Neighbors:
Due to COVID, there will be a small private funeral service for Dave Clark at the Presbyterian Church in Harding on Saturday, May 8th at 12:00 pm. Friends may attend virtually by going to: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1QOT_8dpBbF44GXAPcsJHQ.
David was born and raised in a loving home in Dallas, Texas with his siblings, Barbara, Keven and Coleen. Extraordinarily social from an early age, his constant talking charmed and exasperated his teachers. In high school he earned the title of “Mr. Howdy” and his love to socialize never changed. David never met a person he didn’t like. He especially loved babies and had an amazing calming effect on them.
His Father, Richard, encouraged him to become an Eagle Scout and his mother, Martha, a church organist, encouraged his interest in music. In high school and college David sang at the Methodist and Baptist church and worked as a cantor in a synagogue. He studied music at the University of Texas in Denton which was a dry county, but he sang in Dallas, so popular Dave brought back the beer.
He was chosen to participate in an international good will tour to sing throughout Europe. This was a life changing event for David, increasing his love of opera and broadening his horizons.
David obtained his master’s degree in theater and began coursework on his PHD at the University of Indiana, while summers were spent singing at the Santa Fe opera. Time spent in the company of experienced opera singers opened Dave’s eyes to an alarming lifestyle. Life as an opera singer entailed a tremendous amount of travel and time away from family. He decided to change his career. He continued to support the opera as a board member on the Marilyn Horn Foundation and of the Light Opera Company of NJ.
Under the direction of his uncle, David moved to New Jersey with his new wife Marian to become an insurance agent. He worked hard and continued his education to obtain his CLU and CPCU designations. He later established several companies: Professional Benefits Group, Real Benefits Association, Contract Services Corporation, and Benefits Marketing Services. He was a creative big idea man who thought out of the box and hated being tied down by what he considered arbitrary rules.
He donated his time to the Lions club and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation of New Jersey which he chaired for several years.
Dave was a 21st century dad in the 20th century. He was the carpool dad, the swimming instructor, the first “class dad” at Far Hills school and of course helped with theater productions at Far Hills and at Pingry. He donated a rose garden at the school auctions and his gardens are planted throughout the area. He encouraged his kids sporting events and gave the gift of golf to his son Tyler. He had a knack for inspiring and supporting the people around him and just making them feel special.
With Dave’s family in Dallas and Ohio, he found himself traveling frequently. His business took him to Europe where he and his dear friend Dr. Mac explored opportunities, wine and the finer things life offers. David enjoyed a robust wine collection and was an avid golfer. Twenty years ago in 2001 he met Tawnya and came to Mt. Kemble Lake where he was delighted to find a warm friendly welcome. He loved being at the Lake and the wonderful variety of people here. During that time he never said an unkind word. I hold in my heart the vivacious, caring, fun loving man who adopted my children as his and made the sun shine for everyone.
Tawnya Kabnick