Robert Dempsey Clark

Robert “Bob” Dempsey Clark, 84, died in his sleep on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, the result of cancer.
Robert leaves behind his daughter Andrea Clark, daughter-in-law Cynthia Heeb Clark, grandsons Wesley and Oliver Clark, all of Sacramento; a brother Richard Clark of Bakersfield; a nephew Paul Bullard of Seattle; nieces Karen Bullard of Seattle and Brenda McDonough of Huntington Beach, as well as many cousins and in-laws. He was preceded in death by both parents, his first wife Virginia Veninga Clark, sister Martha Clark Bradshaw, and son Byron Clark.

Robert was born in San Francisco, California on June 29, 1937, a month after the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. His father was William R. Clark, a native of Monticello, California, and his mother was Gladys Dempsey Clark, a native of Colusa, California. Robert spent his first five years in College City, California before the family moved to Williams where his father was engaged in farming. Robert graduated from Williams Union Elementary School and Williams Union High School. He attended the University of California, Davis and received a degree in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He was registered with the State of California as an Agricultural Engineer.

Robert farmed for several years in the Williams area, before embarking on a 25-year career as manager of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District in Willows. Among his most notable accomplishments was a $20 million rehabilitation program for the district’s main canal system, providing capacity and stability to the water distribution system. During that time Robert also worked as an international consultant in the irrigation field and served as a director of the Water Education Foundation.

After retirement from GCID, Robert continued his passion for water resources and infrastructure by managing the North Delta Water Agency, Reclamation District No. 2047, Sacramento River Water Contractors Association, and California Central Valley Flood Control Association. His advice helped implement a plan for the Sacramento River and its tributaries that would protect, restore, and enhance both fisheries and riparian habitat.

He lived for a short time in Citrus Heights before he settled in Rancho Cordova, where he spent the remainder of his life. Robert enjoyed spending summers at his cabin in Clipper Mills. He was a stellar “Papa” to his two grandsons, attending almost every baseball, soccer or basketball game, every school play, every birthday, and every milestone. Robert always enjoyed a good bargain, and never once turned down ice cream. He passed his love of water and agriculture on to his son, and the two of them could spend hours talking shop. He was a train enthusiast and enjoyed watching videos and visiting train museums. He bought a model train set for his grandsons as soon as he thought they were old enough. Robert was soft spoken, but always had a twinkle in his eye, and he made an excellent apple pie.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the East Lawn Elk Grove Cemetery. Robert will be inurned next to his beloved son, Byron Clark, and his first wife, Virginia Clark.