Colin Arnold Clarke

Colin "Arnie" Clarke died on December 13, 2010, under the loving care of his family and a wonderful Hospice team. He was born in Seattle in 1935, and spent early school years in Federal Way and Bothell. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1958, with a degree in Business. Later, Arnie obtained two Master's degrees in Business. He joined the Navy Reserves in his college years, but eventually transferred to the Air Force to fly jet fighters and served four tours in Vietnam, eventually retiring as a Lt. Col. He served as the Pangborn Airport Manager from 1982 until 2003. Arnie was committed to many service projects with Rotary, where he served as President and was a Paul Harris Fellow. The Miss Veedol project was important to him and he served as Chief Pilot and Chairman, taking part in the National Air Tour and in the Canadian Historical Society tour to commemorate Canada's first flight across the Atlantic. Flying was also a very important part of his life and he served as President of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Wenatchee, and was a 29-year supporter and also a President of the Soaring Club. A favorite project was serving as the principal pilot for William Layman, as they photographed the T.A. Weaver Rephotographic Project for the Wenatchee Valley Museum in his home-built Glasair, for the Atlas Narrative of the Columbia River. This was an aerial photo-mapping project to show the changes in the entire length of the Columbia River in the last 50 years. He loved woodworking and built a house on Lake Wenatchee and remodeled several homes, but his last and perhaps favorite project (other than the airplane) was a three story tree-house for his grandchildren. He was a lifetime runner, following in the path of several generations of family runners. The most memorable race was a 100k race in Switzerland, which he ran when he was 46, and the important thing for him was that he finished. He was an avid photographer. He spent several years building an airplane, which he loved to fly, and in which he loved to give rides to friends. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sandra Blain Clarke; daughters, Andriette Clarke Timblin and Alison (Kevin) Jenne; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by son, Arnold. Also surviving are three siblings, Bill Clarke, Larry Clarke and Molly Clarke Kenzler; and greatly loved are sister-in-law, Martha and husband, Ralph Lieser, who were at his beck and call during his final illness. Arnie lived a full life, always challenging those around him to see the best in others and to reach for the best in themselves. We have been blessed by his life. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place in Wenatchee at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 20, 2010, followed by a Reception. Memorials may be sent, in lieu of flowers, to St. Joseph's Catholic School; Wellness Place; or our local VFW, P.O. Box 7115, East Wenatchee, WA 98802, to be used for Veteran's relief. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Colin Arnold Clarke

August 31, 1935 - December 13, 2010