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CHARLES EDWARD CLARKE Age 98, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 26th. Born in 1921 to Edward and Anne Henderson Clarke, Charlie felt called to be a physician from a young age. He graduated with highest honors from Princeton University in 1944, and from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in 1946. He began practicing medicine as a Captain in the U.S. Army, stationed in the Philippines. He corresponded with his sweetheart, Cecelia Mamaux, and proposed to her by radio telephone, his one and only romantic gesture. He credited his lifelong friend, Dr. Carmelo Ranii, with giving him the confidence to make the call. (She accepted.) Charlie returned to Pittsburgh and cared for patients at Presbyterian, Passavant, and Mercy Hospitals. He also commuted many hours every week to the United Mineworkers Union Clinic, a job he loved. In 1960, friend and colleague Dr. James Crittenden persuaded Charlie to move to Sewickley, where he joined the staff of Sewickley Valley Hospital. He established his office at the Critmore Medical Building, where patients knew that Dr. Clarke would always have as much time as they needed, and, if they found themselves in hospital, that he would be there for them no matter what time of day or night. Charlie was a consummate diagnostician; one of his colleagues remarked that whenever we have a really difficult diagnosis, we call Charlie Clarke. But Charlie also understood that much of medicine is caring, and paying attention, and listening. He never wavered in his sense of duty and responsibility: he was a steady mentor to younger doctors and an unstinting support to his peers; he was constant in his respect for nurses. Charlie and his wife of 58 years raised five daughters and a steady crew of found/rescued dogs. Charlie typically worked 70-80 hours each week, yet somehow made school props and costumes, repaired anything and everything in the house, and cared for his garden, growing most of his flowers from seeds. He was a voracious reader, especially history, and acquired books his entire life that overflowed shelves onto tables and chairs. He and Ceil also filled the house with vinyl records and cds; the music hardly ever stopped. Charlie was a convivial man, but he joined the Edgeworth Club for his daughters. He was endlessly pleased as they played tennis and squash, and swam, joined bowling leagues, learned to dance, performed in musicals. Likewise, he joined the Sewickley Heights Golf Club at the request of his brother, Robert. Charlie never wanted to retire. He regularly said I want to die with my boots on, doing rounds at the hospital. Not to be: on December 31st, 2012, he left his office for the last time. He continued to work in his garden for another five years, until the problem of getting UP became too difficult. He continued to direct the planting and tending from his chair in the breakfast room. He also read his medical journals, cover to cover, until the end. Charlie's treasured wife Cecelia died in 2006. His cherished daughter Katherine died in 2004. He is survived by daughters Anne Clarke Ronce, Constance Clarke, Cecelia Clarke, and Victoria Clarke and her husband Brian Graham, grandchildren Colin, Devan, and Charles Graham, and brother Andrew Clarke. Charlie was cared for by friend and colleague, Dr. Chris O'Donnell. His peaceful passing was made possible with the loving help of nurse's aide Jenny McConahy, family friend D'Ann Kaib, and son-in-law to be Reza Zadfar. No memorial service is planned at this time. Anyone wishing to may leave comments at Richarddcolefh.com. Commemorative gifts may be directed to Heritage Valley Health System Foundation, or to the Sewickley Public Library. Arrangements by the RICHARD D. COLE FUNERAL HOME SEWICKLEY. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
