Col. Robert Clarke

Colonel Robert B. Clarke, U.S. Army Ret., of Neptune Beach died at his residence on July 14, 2016. Col. Clarke moved to Neptune Beach in 1985, retiring after 31 years of active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He had served in the Caribbean, Korea, France, Germany, Vietnam, and the United States, and had been awarded the Legion of Merit (with 4 oak leaf clusters), the Bronze Star Medal (for service in Vietnam), and numerous other service and campaign decorations.

Originally a native of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Col. Clarke graduated from Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin, with an AB degree in History. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Law at Madison. He was also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, The Judge Advocate General’s Graduate Course, and the U.S. Army War College.

Col. Clarke was active in community affairs, serving as member and chairman of the Neptune Beach Civil Service Board, Director and Treasurer of the Friends of the Beaches Library, and Director of the Neptune by the Sea Homeowners Association. He had been a long-time Secretary of the Al-Pablo Club of Jacksonville Beach and Friend of Bill W. An avid golfer, he was for many years a member of the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club Senior Men’s Association.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Anne Clarke; daughter, Katherine of Jacksonville; two sisters, Mrs. Charlton (Lydia) Heston of Beverly Hills, CA and Mrs. William (Holly) Nash of Milwaukee, WI. His former wife, Carol passed away in 1997.

Burial, with full military honors, will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, 225 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.