In Memoriam

Richard C. Clay

Below are two remembrances of Dick Clay: an obituary from his home-town newspaper, and a remembrance by Neil Hoffmann '64. one of his freshman roommates.

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Obituary, The Scituate Mariner

Richard C. Clay, age 67, passed on Sept. 11, 2010. He was born and raised in Bristol, RI. He graduated from St. Georges School in Middletown, RI in 1960 and Yale University in 1964.

A Scituate resident since 1981, Dick was the retired comptroller for Rugged Bear, a chain of 27 children's clothing stores. A US Navy veteran, he served on the USS Cascade (AD-16) and the USS Power (DD-839) with the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade).

He began his civilian career as a stockbroker for Kidder, Peabody & Co. in Boston, but then changed to the treasury and accounting management fields, working for Harbor Investments, Inc, The Howard Johnson Co, Grossmans Inc, Fidelity Investments, and A.W. Lovell, Inc. prior to joining Rugged Bear in 1992.

He was also a master tax advisor for H&R Block, and was licensed as an enrolled agent by the IRS to represent taxpayers in IRS proceedings. He was former president of the Yale Club, and a long time trustee of the Yale Scholarship Trust of Boston. He was a former vestryman and treasurer of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Scituate.

Dick enjoyed hunting, fishing and all types of boating and served for many years as treasurer of the Minots Ledge Chapter of Ducks Unlimited as well as being a life member of the Scituate Rod & Gun Club.

He is survived by his mother, Estelle (Boudreau) and a brother, Mervyn Clay, of New York City. A memorial service will be held on October 23 at 2 p.m. in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Scituate. Donations in his memory may be made to the Yale Scholarship Trust of Boston, c/o Steffensen, Herman and Dodgett, LLC, 45 School St., Boston, MA 02108-3204.

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Remembrance by Neil Hoffmann '64

October 11, 2010

I'm not sure how many of you knew our classmate, Dick Clay . I just heard this morning that Dick died on September 11 at his home in Scituate MA after a long battle with cancer. I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon and evening with Dick in early August and in spite of his failing resources we went out on his boat and had a lovely dinner together. Dick was in Pierson and after graduation spent three years in the Navy. After the Navy he came to Boston, working in the brokerage business and was very active in the Yale Club of Boston, including I think, being President. He worked in a variety of companies, including most recently, as Comptroller for a children's clothing firm called The Rugged Bear.

About 30 years ago he bought a little cottage in Scituate, making friends in the local boating community and among the fisherman. He was an avid amateur lobsterman and duck hunter, having grown up on the shore in Bristol Rhode Island.

Dick and I were suite mates in Welsh Hall freshman year and then were part of a group which went on to Pierson. He was a sweet man and a true friend. I'm going to miss him.

He is survived by his brother Mervyn and his mother. There will be a memorial service on October 23 at St. Luke's Church in Scituate.