Robert Noel Clark, who helped build many of MIT’s information systems, accounting systems and processes during a career at the Institute that spanned more than 35 years, died peacefully on Monday, Aug. 16, at Embracing Hospice in Cumming, Ga., with his wife and sons at his side. He had battled Parkinson's disease for many years and ultimately succumbed to a head injury caused by a recent fall. He was 74.

Born on July 24, 1936, in Waltham, Mass., Clark was the son of the late Leroy "Roy" Crown Clark and Ida Marie Clark. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1954 and received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Northeastern University in 1961.

Clark joined MIT in 1959 and was promoted to administrative staff in the Controller’s Data Processing unit in 1961. In 1971, he transferred to the Office of Administrative Information Systems as a member of administrative staff. In 1973, he transferred again to the Student Accounts Office as a member of administrative staff. In 1979, he joined the Controller’s Accounting office as an accounting officer and was promoted to senior accounting officer in 1995. He retired from MIT in 1996.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Judith (Greenan) Clark; and their two sons, Robert Noel Clark Jr. and Darren Scott Clark; his sister, Louise (Clark) Best; six grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Sept. 12, at Calvary Christian Church, 47 Grove St., Lynnfield, Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Clark's favorite charity, Focus on the Family. Donations can be made online at https://giving.family.org/donate/ or by mail to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995.


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