Thursday, March 8, 2007 Older Editions

Alan Clarke

Alan Clarke, 69, of Andover, died on Sunday, Feb. 25.

Dr. Clarke was born to Edward and Mildred Clarke in Boston and was the second youngest of eight children.

He spent his early years in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood and graduated from Boston Latin School in 1955.

He completed his bachelor's degree at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania in 1959; a master's degree in education and special education in 1966 from Boston State College, as well as a doctorate in education in 1979 from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

In 1977, he married Dr. Norma Kornegay Clarke and in 1983, his only son, Alan Kornegay "Azi" Clarke, was born.

Dr. Clarke was widowed in 1996.

Beginning in 1960, Dr. Clarke worked as a special education instructor for the Boston School Department and assisted in the revision of the curriculum and improvement of staff utilization.

In 1966, Dr. Clarke assumed the role of program director at Thompson Academy, organizing educational and counseling activities, and recruiting and training professional staff.

In 1967, he became Project Director of Bridge Upward Bound and developed working relationships with the office of education, the Peace Corps and the New Careers Program. He also expanded Bridge Upward Bound by developing cooperative arrangements with colleges such as Antioch, Boston College and MIT. Bridge Upward Bound began to operate for more hours each week than similar programs and provided a broad range of educational, career oriented and cultural activities. It was here that he met his future wife.

He also served as the executive director of Bridge Fund Inc., which continues as a viable community resource, providing a range of needed services.

In 1979, Dr. Clarke began work as executive assistant to the superintendent of the Boston School Department. In this capacity, he strengthened the Office of the Superintendent by improving communication lines, designing system-wide performance-appraisal programs. He conducted a major study of one of Boston's most troubled high schools, which led to its most successful year in some time. In addition, he revised promotional rating policies and procedures, and designed staff development for the nine district offices.

In 1981, as deputy administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, he set budget priorities, evaluated submissions, settled disputes and approved changes for the fourth largest housing authority in the United States.

From July 31, 1983 until his retirement on March 22, 1998, he was the director of educational support programs at the University of Massachusetts Boston. There, he was the prime mover of the initial development of McNair, Upward Bound Mathematic Science, Project Reach and numerous other TRIO programs. His leadership helped bring in millions of dollars in federal grants to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds to better prepare for college, and begin graduate careers. He maintained and enhanced existing programs such as Student Support Services, Upward Bound Veterans Program, and the Ross Center for Students with Disabilities.

He was responsible for program planning and logistics for the Department of Education's National TRIO conference in 1992 in Washington, where nearly 2,000 directors of nationwide TRIO programs came together for a conference.

After his retirement, he established the Norma K. Clarke Scholarship Fund at the Charles Street AME Church in Boston, to assist high school students who wanted to attend college.

He also served as the treasurer of the board of the Central Boston Elder Services.

Dr. Clarke was a mentor to many young students and always maintained a positive commitment to family and education. Dr. Clarke enjoyed reading novels and could often be found in his library. He also enjoyed the old-time radio shows of his youth.

Dr. Clarke was known to have a wonderful sense of humor and brightened the lives of countless co-workers and friends, his family said.

In addition to his son, family members include his brother, Edward Clarke and his wife Margaret of Malden; his sisters, Ruth Ann Clarke of Plymouth and Andover, Mildred Shelburne and her husband Ronald of Roxbury, Amy Hood of Medford; his aunt, Eva VanLeesten of Virginia; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brothers, James and Eugene, and his sister, Janice.

Arrangements were by Davis Funeral Home of Roxbury and Mattapan.