CITY OF FRESNO
Office of Councilmember Esmeralda Soria
Is hereby presented in honor of:
Bob Clark
WHEREAS, Robert “Bob” Clark was born January 18th, 1922, in Hayward, California. Bob is a husband, father, grandfather, accomplished Navy Veteran, musician, and educator. The City of Fresno has the distinct honor of celebrating Mr. Robert Clark’s 100th birthday and recognizing his serv ice to both his country during W orld War II and his community as an educator at Edison High School and Reedley College. We are proud to have him as a member of the Fresno community; and
WHEREAS, After his parents’ divorce , Bob along with his brother and mother moved to Selma, CA.
He was an excellent student and ended up skipping half of first, second, third, and fourth grade. Despite that, after graduating high school, Bob attended Reedley College. Later enrolling at Fresno State where he met his wife, Frances Louise Borchardt. Bob decided to serve his country by enlisting in the Navy after Pearl Harbor. Soon after, he was transferred to H awaii on the USS New Mexico. He then started to play trombone with the ship’s band. He was then quickly promoted to Third Class Petty Officer. Bob was present when the USS New Mexico was hit by a Kamikaze in the Philippines resulting in the death of the captain and 32 others. In 1945 he was discharged in good standing; and
WHEREAS, After his tour of duty, Bob returned to Fresno and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Fresno State in Economics. He then continued his education as a graduate student at Fresno State, taking courses in education. One of his professors was the principa l at Edison High and offered Bob a job. He taught at Edison for 18 years, becoming vice-principal during his last year there. He went on to become a guidance counselor at Reedley College until his retirement. During this time, Bob continued playing trombone in local bands to get extra money. He has been a long-time member of the house band playing at the El Rancho Motel; and
WHEREAS, With his exceptional career as an educator, Bob joined the California Retired Teachers Association and later served as the organizations president for two years. He also joined the CRTA chorus which he participated in until he was 95 . Bob joined the Fresno Post 509 , which performs at veteran’s events. Later, it became the Sounds of Freedom Military Concert Band. He is now the oldest member of the band and still attends all the rehearsals and concerts.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Fresno Mayor and City Council hereby proclaims January 18, 2022 to be:
“Bob Clark Day”
in the City of Fresno
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 27
th
day of January 2022.
_______________________________________________ ____________________________________________ ESMERALDA SORIA, Councilmember, District 1 MIKE KARBASSI, Councilmember, District 2
_______________________________________________ ____________________________________________ MIGUEL ARIAS, Councilmember, District 3 TYLER MAXWELL, Council Vice President, District 4
_______________________________________________ ___________________________________________ LUIS CHAVEZ, Councilmember, District 5 GARRY BREDEFELD, Councilmember, District 6
_______________________________________________ ____________________________________________ NELSON ESPARZA, Council President, District 7 JERRY DYER, Honorable Mayor