A. R. Clarke, Dies In Watertown

Ambrose R. Clarke, 63, of 165 Summit Street, died at 12:35 am Sunday, January 14, 1973, in the Coronary Care Unit of Mercy Hospital at Watertown, where he was visiting when taken ill.

Mr. Clarke retired as Chairman of the Mathematics Department of Batavia High School on January 1, 1969, a post he had held since 1945. For eight years he was Dean of Boys at BHS. Prior to 1945 he taught at the Manlius School and at Potsdam High School. At Potsdam he taught mathematics and public speaking and coached dramatics.

During World War II, Mr. Clarke was instructor in the V-12 Program at St. Lawrence University and the ASTP at Clarkson College. From 1946-56 he was a summer employe of the State Department of Transport as a senior engineering aide, working out of the Watertown office.

A native of Rocky Mount, N.C., Mr. Clarke was educated in the public schools of New Jersey and New York. He received the AB degree from Cornell University and the Ed.M. degree from St. Lawrence University. He also studied at at State University College at Potsdam, Clarkson College, and the State University of Oswego.

Mr. Clarke was a charter member of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State. He was its first vice president, its second president and served on numerous committees. He was also a member of the  Association of Teachers of Mathematics, the New York State Teachers Association, the National Education Associaton, the National Retired Teachers Association, and the New York State Retired Teachers Association.

Surviving is his wife, the former Marie Ottersland. They were married in Watertown, August 28, 1939.

Funeral arrangements are being made by the Simpson Funeral Home and burial will be in Glenwoood Cemetery, Watertown. Calling hours are today from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 at the funeral home, where a prayer service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday with Msgr. Gerald Kellogg, Mr. Clarke's high school classmate, officiating.