Sequim Irrigation Festival

Bob Clark was born to Elliot and Ethel Clark in 1930 in a house that is still standing in downtown Sequim.  Bob remembers as a kid milking his share of the family farm’s 60 jersey cows by hand – until they got electricity and a milking machine in 1938.

Bob married Glenda Dickinson in 1961.  They have 3 children, Kimberly Ann, Thomas James, and Sara Lorraine, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  Bob and Glenda are both the 4^th generation of families that settled in the Sequim Dungeness area in the mid-1850’s.  Bob and Glenda live on the Clark Dungeness family farm, which is one of 2 centennial farms in the county.  His brother, Elliot, lives on the other of these farms in Eden Valley.

The Sequim Prairie Grange has been a part of Bob’s life since childhood, and he raised his children in the Grange, all of whom are life members as well.  In addition to being past president, he has been Pomona Master, and State Master of the Washington State Granges and on the Board of Directors of National Granges for 12 years.

Bob has been involved in the Sequim (F&AM) Masons Lodge #213 for over 50 years and held positions of Past Master.  He is going on 13 years as Secretary of the Lodge and is also Chairman of the Foundation, which each year gives scholarships to graduates of Sequim High School.

Bob started working in the County Auditor’s office in 1949 and became Deputy County Auditor when he turned 21.  He was elected as County Treasurer in 1959 and served through 1989.  During his time as County Treasurer, he was active throughout the state as President of the Washington State Association of County Treasurers, President of Washington State Association of Elected Officials, and President of the National Association of County Treasurers and Finance Offices and as such a Director on the Board of Directors of National Association of Counties.

Bob got his community mindedness from his mother and believes that it is important to “really participate in the organizations you belong to – not just pay the dues”.  Bob believes it is “fun to be active”, and he seems to never stop.  He was the first president of the Sequim Dungeness Museum.  He is currently President of the North Olympic Shrine Club, President of the North Olympic Crime Stoppers, Chairman of the Dungeness Schoolhouse Committee, and Chairman of the Dungeness Cemetery Association.  Additionally, he is a County Fair board member and past president.  Bob has always taken a leadership role in the community and it is not surprising that Bob was named Citizen of the Year in 2000.