Richard Clark Clune

Richard (Rich) Clark Clune, 76, passed away from colon cancer on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at his home in Albany, OR. He was born in Oakland, CA on January 13, 1941 to Frank and Joy Clune (Clark) but raised by his maternal grandparents Thane and Eleonore Clark after the death of his mother and sister in childbirth. Rich was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School and attended Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, CA. His years as a Boy Scout and lifeguard for the National Park Service at Tamales Bay in Northern California produced some of his happiest childhood memories.

Rich worked for United Airlines in San Francisco as a reservation clerk while still a college student and into his late 20s. He initially only interviewed for the position to prove a professor wrong who said he was too young. After his marriage to Judith Ann Taylor on May 23, 1971 in Reno, NV, Rich moved to Indianapolis, IN and joined the Taylor family in the golf business as a golf pro at Sycamore Springs Golf Club on Dean Road and then later StonyCreek Golf Club in Noblesville, IN.

After 30 years of tee times and Indiana winters, Rich and Judy, who preceded him in death on August 10, 2003, retired to Sea Ranch, CA off of Highway One. Rich practiced yoga almost every day and could do the splits well into his 70s. He enjoyed long walks along the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, weekly games of petanque, the French version of bocce, cutthroat cribbage tournaments with his daughter Amanda (he went out a winner) and yearly trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

A gifted storyteller with a silly sense of humor, Rich was intelligent and politically opinionated and had an open and generous heart. Survivors include his wife Nancy Stocker and her son Jacob Urban, daughters Amanda Clune and Margaret Joy (Rob) Smith, grandchildren Zach and Zoe Smith and brother-in-law Sam Taylor. He was cremated per his wishes and no memorial service has been planned. Rich will always be remembered with a toothpick behind his ear and a bowl of ice cream, preferably mocha, in his hand.

Memorial contributions may be made to SafeHaven Humane Society, 32220 Old Hwy 34, Tangent, OR 97389. Online condolences may be sent to the Clune family at http://www.aasum-dufour.com/notices/Richard-Clune.