Eben (Ben) Choate Clark Jr. died on the sunny spring morning of April 28, 2025. He was at home surrounded by his ever-loving daughters. His 81 years on earth were filled with many adventures, achievements, tinkering abouts and lots of ‘Clark humor’.
Ben was born in Boston on Dec. 14, 1943 to Eben Choate Clark and Margaret Stevens Clark. He was a curious boy at heart, very observant of the natural world around him and genuinely fascinated at how machines worked. His childhood was filled with backyard sledding and tromping through the woods with his four siblings.
He graduated from the Fessenden School (‘58), Milton Academy (‘62) and the University of Vermont (’69). At Milton he excelled at sports and was the captain of the football team and played hockey at UVM.
He enlisted in the army during the Vietnam War and was part of army intelligence. He went to language school in Monterey, Calif. and then was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. On his days off, Ben’s curiosity and itch to know Okinawa had him exploring around the island in ‘Tuggles’ his blue Land Cruiser, beachcombing for glass buoys, scuba diving and indulging in the local cuisine.
Growing up, his family spent summer’s in Harthaven in Oak Bluffs. He always looked forward to spending time in the ocean and sailing in Farm Pond with his family and friends. In the late 70’s Ben met “a cute brunette” named Joan living next door in Harthaven, who he eventually married and started a family with in Pilot Hill. They had four daughters in a house that he proudly built. He worked hard and enjoyed his career as a carpenter, hammering away and completing many projects with his close friends Tucker and Sandy.
Having a family and being a father of four daughters was by far one of Ben’s most prideful and important adventures. Raising Virginia, Allie, Elizabeth and Katherine definitely softened some of his rough edges, especially after spending a month in tight knit quarters traveling around New Zealand in a camper van with them!
He was a dedicated and proud sports fan and could be found at all his daughter’s sports games, often leaving work early to attend them. He was always present, encouraging and challenged them to give it their all. Ben was patient and took his time teaching and explaining, many times at great length, to his children the numerous projects he was working on like rebuilding his car engine or repairing a lawnmower. Often times, he would have one or all of his daughters as his assistants on these projects. His daughters learned an enormous amount of life and practical skills from him.
The love he had for his daughters was only outshined by his love for his four granddaughters Nyah, Hazel, Kira and Winnie. They enjoyed listening to the many adventures he had experienced, from sailing across the Atlantic, working on a cattle ranch in Sheridan, Wy., canoeing down the Danube River, and zooming around Europe for a month on a motorcycle with his close friends. “Baba” as he was affectionately called always had a funny story or important life lesson to give and his silliness was second to none.
Ben loved the simple things in life: watching the birds, doing projects with his daughters, a good book, a hearty family meal and nice long walks. And of course, eating ice cream!
He lived his life as he always did, by staying positive, stoic and maintaining his sense of humor with his unforgettable laugh. Ben will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew him.
A small celebration of his life was held last fall. This spring, take a moment to stop and watch the birds, search for lady slippers and take in the beauty and awe of the natural world around you just as Ben would during this magical time of year.