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Ric Clarke, 68
Appreciate Dads While They’re Still Around
Ric Clarke has always been a man of few spoken words, but one who was always listening. When he did speak, he was insightful, and often hilarious. His humor was defined by dry wit, which was quiet, quick and accurate.
All of this was clearly evident in his award-winning columns, which came together through a combination of his uncanny ability to identify with everyone he interviewed and truly listen to what they had to say. His stories easily evoked emotion and captivated readers for years.
On Thursday, March 22, 2018, just before dawn, Ric Clarke quietly passed away. It’s safe to say that for the Clarke family (as well as his readers), the Coeur d’Alene Press will never be the same. We’ll miss his stories and what went into them. There will be no more yellow notebooks or tape recorders scattered throughout the house, no more late-night phone calls with subjects and no more Sunday mornings watching him pore over his work. Fortunately, we have what he left behind. We are honored to have his stories, which were formally a conduit, and now an echo of his voice.
When we were growing up, he would often regale the family at dinner with stories about his first step into the professional world as a school teacher in Scotland. Friday nights were frequently spent with family slide shows, viewing photographs of his life with his wife, Mary, before parenthood. He’d nostalgically pause at pictures of our mom in front of yet another castle in Scotland; always with a glint of love and admiration in his eye.
In the mid-’70s, Ric and Mary moved back to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to start their family. They were early residents of the Fort Grounds, which was a very special place. Their children, Matthew, Emily and Meggie, were fortunate to spend their early childhoods there. They ran free through the streets of that neighborhood, while Ric put his heart and soul into his stories at the Coeur d’Alene Press.
As the years went on, professional opportunities led the family on adventures to Arizona, North Carolina and eventually back to the place Ric loved the most; Coeur d’Alene. Throughout the moves and job changes, one thing remained consistent; his love and loyalty to his family. No matter what trouble the kids were in, no matter what the situation, he had their backs. He was always proud of his three children, and he adored his wife of 46 years.
Ric’s passions were not limited to writing. His enthusiasm for skiing led him to run the ski school at Lookout Pass for several years. He taught several generations how to keep shoulders downhill and to always think two turns ahead. In the summer months, one could find him managing the Hiawatha Trail, making sure everyone was safe and all was running smoothly; then recounting stories of that infamous 1.5-mile tunnel of the ride!
Ric Clarke was a gifted storyteller, an avid skier, the perfect Pops to five grandchildren and an admirable family man. He will be greatly missed and always celebrated. We wish you were still around.
There will be a celebration of Ric later this summer. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the charity of your choice to make the world a better place.