Kenneth Clark

Kenneth K. Clark died August 30, 2014. He was born October 6, 1930 in Freeport, Illinois to Kenneth and Hattie Mae Clark. He married Suzanne Baker in 1953, and considered their 61 years of marriage to be the most significant accomplishment of his life. Ken is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter, Chrisanne (Terrance) Lichtenwald; son, K. Bill (Carol) Clark; and grandchildren, Cairn (Laura) Clark, Seth Clark, and Samantha Lichtenwald. Ken is also survived by his sister, Mabelann Fisher, sister-in-law Nancy (Robert) Woodburn, and many nieces and nephews. He loved them all.
Second to his family and friends, Ken enjoyed his long career in serving the public. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1952 in landscape architecture. He began his career as Director of the Rockford Illinois Housing Authority, then spent several years as a consulting city and land planner in Chicago, Wisconsin Rapids, and Madison. From 1959 - 1969 Ken was Madison's City Planning Director. Among his accomplishments were: Madison's first Comprehensive Plan for Land Use, Capital Budget and Improvement Program; comprehensive zoning ordinance and map; land division regulations; and, housing code. He developed the Plans for Parks and Open Spaces, Fire Stations, Libraries, Neighborhoods, Downtown, Airport, and others. He was the initiator for Madison's acquisition of Cherokee Marsh Conservation Area and Park; Turville Point Conservation Park; James Madison, Elver, and Garner parks; Yahara Hills Golf Course; the first acquisition in the Nine Springs E-Way; and, the John Nolen Drive Causeway across Lake Monona. After leaving the city, Ken became a consulting city and land planner. He designed the University of Wisconsin Research Park on Whitney Way and the Old Sauk Trails Park. He retired in 2009 and spent his summers at Camp Cleghorn in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Ken was a member and deacon of Covenant Presbyterian Church, advisor to the Volunteer Braillists, Inc., and a board member of Madison Neighborhood Centers and Friends of the Arboretum. He enjoyed public service, as well as bass fishing, telling humorous stories, and befriending dogs.
His family and friends (and dogs) will remember Ken/grandpa for his generosity, his giving spirit, and for his impact on their lives. We all miss him.
A service honoring Ken will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 326 S. Segoe Road, Madison. Memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice Care, Covenant Presbyterian Church, or Camp Cleghorn.