Reed Clark: It’s a Wonderful Life

Reed Clark grew up travelling the world in the cradle of diplomatic elegance.  He dreamed of following his father in the Foreign Service, circling the globe from embassy to embassy.  That dream did not come to fruition.  But his new dreams exceeded those old dreams in every way.  After nearly ninety years on this earth, Reed Clark reflects back on the challenges and mini-triumphs he has encountered on his journey.  And his story, in many ways, is a story for all of us.  It really is a wonderful life!

The Early Years

Reed’s father, Reed Paige Clark II, was a distinguished Department of State Foreign Service Officer from New Hampshire at the height of his diplomatic career, when he was transferred to his Mexico City post. It was here he met his Foreign Service Secretary, Jeanne Bertrand, a beauty from Louisiana, twenty years his junior.  They fell in love and Jeanne resigned from her position to be with him.  The two were married and subsequently transferred to the American Embassy in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo was exotic and enchanting, but the hospitals lacked sophisticated medical care.  So when Reed Clark was ready to come into this world, there were complications.  The birth was difficult.   The doctor had to use forceps to ease the delivery.  But the forceps inadvertently crushed a portion of Reed’s skull, leaving him partially paralyzed on the right side.  It was a seminal moment that had a huge impact on Reed’s life.

“I had no control over it and couldn’t change it, anyway.  So why be bitter? I just had to make the most of it.”

And that he did.  Resilient in every way!

Around the World

Shortly after Reed’s tumultuous birth, a massive hurricane leveled Santo Domingo, and the entire diplomatic corps was evacuated back to the US.  The Clarks were transferred to Belgrade, Yugoslavia for four years of Eastern European culture. Reed’s memories of this place are foggy, but the next stop on his journey will always leave an indelible mark.

“We arrived in Vienna, Austria at a time when the Anschluss was imminent.  I remember seeing hundreds of people slogging through the streets with all their earthly possessions on pull carts and huge backpacks.  They knew what was coming.”

As Hitler became more powerful, the US Government recalled the Austrian Ambassador back home. Reed’s father was briefly in charge of the US Embassy in Vienna before they once again evacuated The Clark Family out of harm’s way.

After a brief respite stateside, Reed and his parents traveled by train across the country and across Canada to their next post in Victoria, British Columbia.

Shortly after arriving in Canada, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.  At twelve years old, Reed was named the youngest junior warden in the Province.  He patrolled the streets at night and made sure all the lights were out and all the people were secure.  It was a time of war.

“Everyone had to do their part.  Big or small.  And I did my very small part.”

By 1944, Reed’s father retired and the family moved back to Washington, DC.  They spent the summer in New Hampshire, where, in 1843,  Reed’s great-great grandfather had built a beautiful stone farmhouse in the town of Londonderry.   It was the perfect place to unwind.  But, having grown up around the world, it was time for Reed to find permanent schooling in the United States.  And that choice changed the course of his life forever.

Settling in to The United States

Reed Clark did not know a soul on campus when he entered Georgetown Preparatory School as a worldly eighth grade resident student.

“I was young.  But I wasn’t scared. I felt like I belonged right away.”

Georgetown Prep was Reed’s first permanent sanctuary.  He had lived a life of adventure and travel , but now it was time for a new life.  So, like everything else, he dove right in!

Despite his handicap, he made the Varsity Soccer team and played for two seasons.  He was the manager of the Varsity Football team.  He served as an altar boy and finished second in his class at graduation.  And he made friends for a lifetime.

“Most of them are gone now.  But Jim Fitzgerald, Jerry Crowley, Jimmy Enright, Larry and Charlie Garrett, and so many others will always be with me.  I will never forget them.”

Brothers for life.  And, for Reed, it was more than just a school.

“Georgetown Prep was my home for five years.  I grew up there.  It will always be a part of me.”

Upon graduation, Reed matriculated to Georgetown University for four more years of rigorous Jesuit education.  And then it was time to truly follow his dreams.

“Like any son, I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps.  I wanted to travel the world and live the life of my childhood.”

He passed the Foreign Service Exam and was ready for an international assignment.  But it never came.

It was determined Reed couldn’t carry out his physical duties abroad because of his partial paralysis.  The news landed hard on many levels.

“It truly broke my heart.  In an instant, the future I envisioned was taken away.  My life dreams were crushed.”

Brutal.  So, instead of a life of globe-trotting, Reed was assigned to the civil service in the Passport Office of the US Department of State.  It was tedious work at times.  But he had no choice but to move forward.  Resilience.

“I poured myself into that job.  And I never looked back.”

Amen, dad.  That’s all we can do.

But there is more to life than work.  And soon, Reed would find new dreams to replace the old.

It’s All About Family

While he was working, Reed also found time to relax.  On the social front, Reed joined the Catholic Club in Washington, DC and made instant friends playing bridge, going to dances, and fraternizing at other social events in the local area.  He had a tight circle but something was missing.

“With my handicap, I never thought I would get married.  Much less have children.”

But Reed hit the lottery. In the club, he met Phyllis Straub, a distinguished and intelligent beauty from St. Mary’s, Pa., and knew she would be the one.  After dating for several months, Reed finally asked her to marry him. And then he asked here again.  And on the third time she said yes!

What followed was beyond his wildest dreams.  Five children (four boys and a girl) in rapid succession.  A life of fulfillment and purpose with new goals and aspirations.

“I wanted all my children to be honest, sincere, and always contributing to society.”

We try every day!

“And I wanted to set an example for them along the way.”

Mission accomplished, dad!

It was his volunteer work in the community that drove home the point of contributing to society.  Wednesday nights were his time to go bowling with his friends.  But every other night of the week was dedicated to the community and his children’s activities and schools.

Cub Scout Master. Boy Scout Master.  The Parish Council at Blessed Sacrament Church.  Usher.  President of the St. John’s High School Parent’s Club.  Numerous parent positions at Immaculata High School and The Connelly School of The Holy Child.  And, of course, President of the Georgetown Prep Alumni Association.

“I wanted to be involved in all my children’s lives.  It was a great way to give back to he community and stay connected with them.”

And it was a great way to stay motivated at work.  Reed worked through the tedious moments of his job and rose up through the ranks in the Consular Affairs Division of The State Department. He drew his motivation from his community and his family. And this fostered a new perspective in his life.

The Ebb and Flow of Reed’s Career

As his career ascended at The State Department, Reed worked on more high profile international incidents, including the Iran Hostage Crisis and the plane bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland.  But perhaps the most personally impactful mission was the massacre in Jonestown, Guyana.  913 Americans died in one day as part of a massive murder-suicide pact orchestrated by cult leader, Jim Jones.

Reed was a key member of The State Department Jonestown Task Force working around the clock to notify the next of kin of their son or daughter’s demise.  Not a glamous task. But one thing forever resonated with Reed.

“Some of the family members didn’t seem to care.  Mothers and fathers had written off their sons and daughters years ago when they lost them to the cult.  I couldn’t imagine that. And I never wanted that for my kids.”

(Editor’s note: To date, no Clark children have been lost to any cults!)

Reed went on to work larger, international events from his Washington, DC location.  He gained respect for his dedication and durability (Throughout his career, he constantly worked overtime and never reported in sick.)  His hard work was ultimately rewarded when he won the “Handicap Employee of the Year” for the entire Federal Government.

But as the years dragged on, Reed had a hard time adapting to the changing technology landscape.

“One day, they put a computer on my desk.  I couldn’t type. Couldn’t learn to type.  And I knew it would bump me out of a job.”

And so it did.  In 1989, after a distinguished thirty-seven year career at The State Department, Reed Clark retired from government service.  Little did he know, his greatest contributions were still ahead of him.

Life in New Hampshire

Reed Clark had always had a special place in his heart for the farmhouse in New Hampshire.  He spent most of his summers there in high school and college and his own father was born and raised there.

“But my father left New Hampshire relatively early in his life.  I wanted to go back and establish my own legacy there.”

And so he did!   At a time when most people go south for retirement, Reed and Phyllis packed up and headed north to New Hampshire.

And Reed’s history of volunteering in the community kicked into a whole new gear. Reed Clark became the face of Londonderry, New Hampshire! 

He was a member of the Taxpayer’s Association.  As such, he attended the School Board meetings and the Town Council meetings. He dedicated himself to The Rotary Club (Reed has not missed  a meeting in 30 years).  He volunteered at The Historic Society and donated the old Clark Blacksmith Shop to the town.

And along the way, Reed collected numerous certificates and trophies immortalizing his impact on the town of Londonderry.  He has been recognized as “Citizen of the Year”, “Volunteer of the Year”, and “Rotarian of the Year”.  He has won the Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club and been named Grand Marshall of the “Old Home Day” Town Parade.

Like George Bailey in “It’s  a Wonderful Life”, Reed Clark never had the chance to live his dream of travelling around the world in his adult life.  He never ascended to the upper echelons of government or corporate life.  He never had a financial windfall. Parts of his life were filled with bureaucracy and tedium.  But, like George Bailey, he poured everything he had into his family.  He poured everything he had into his small town.  And, through his dedication, honesty, and work ethic, he built a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Well, dad.  I guess you really have had a wonderful life!

Reed Clark Today

As he approaches his 90th birthday, Reed Clark is still going strong.  He still serves on the Town Council.  Still attends Rotary.  And he averages attending 3 meetings a week!   He is preparing for a speech for the 300th Anniversary of Nutfield, New Hampshire, encompassing the towns Londonderry, Derry and Windham.  (He spoke at the 250th Anniversary celebration, and never dreamed he would have another opportunity to speak 50 years later!)  And he recently traveled back to Georgetown Prep to watch his third grandchild graduate from his alma mater.  Life is good!

And what are some of his remaining goals in life?

“Well, I don’t want to get ahead of myself.  First, I want to make it to my 90th birthday this summer for the big family party!”

Absolutely.  Anything else?

“I want to spend time with my children and grandchildren.  And I really want to live to meet my great grandchild!”

Hope springs eternal, dad.  But don’t rush any of my kids!

And what is Reed’s greatest accomplishment?

“I have five of them.  I was in every way rewarded by my children.  Every one of them has done what I dreamed.  And my dreams are in them.”

Dad, you showed us the way!

And there you have it.  Reed Clark’s life begs the big questions.  What is success?  What is legacy?  Are we defined by our net worth, status, job title and material possessions?  Or are we defined by our honesty, integrity, hard work and dedication to our family and community?

Reed Clark has given us a new definition of success.  And the world is a place better place for it.

Thank you, dad.  And CARRY ON!