Ralph Tracy Clark

Ralph Tracy Clark, 90, passed away on October 5, 2016 in Logan, UT. He was born in Ogden, Utah to Carl William and Myrtle Eliza Tracy Clark. He grew up in Smithfield, Utah, attending the local schools, including North Cache High School, where he was student body president.
Immediately after high school, he served in the Navy during WWII on the destroyer USS Rowan.
Ralph, “RT”, had a long history with Utah State University, beginning when it was USAC. While there, he met Marilyn “Chris” Christensen in a drawing class, saving a place for her easel next to his. He received a BS degree in Art/Photography and received a U.S. Army commission through ROTC.
During the Korean War, Lt. Clark served in the 38th Field Artillery Battalion of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. He was a forward and aerial observer. He was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.
After leaving the Army, Ralph married Chris in the Salt Lake LDS temple in 1954. He attended Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles to earn a BPA degree in photographic advertising/illustration. He worked in Salt Lake City for Wheelwright Lithographing, Beal Studio, and Deseret News Publishing Co., producing many photographs for LDS Church magazines and classroom use, as well as several iconic photos of church leaders.
In 1963, RT accepted a position at USU as a professor of photography and taught for 29 years. He reorganized the various photography courses on campus into a single program within the Fine Arts Department (now Art & Design). He received his MFA in photography from USU in 1969. He flew to Moab and Roosevelt to teach USU Extension photo courses and was Art Department head from 1980-1984. In all his teaching he was valued by students for his practical knowledge, mentoring, and kindness. RT’s photographs were displayed in numerous shows. His freelance work spanned many genres, from weddings and families, to advertising & the U.S. Forest Service.
Ralph had the gift of being able to truly see beauty in people and in all of God’s creations. He enjoyed sharing this gift throughout his life in church callings, his profession, on an LDS mission to the Church Museum of History and Art, and with his family and others. He was constantly grateful for all the people and blessings in his life. He was a friend to all and a superb storyteller, excelling at war stories and the oft-told, humorous saga of his convoluted courtship, spanning five years and finally leading to his happy marriage to Chris.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gene Carl, and his infant sister Janet Ann. He is survived by his wife of 62 years; 5 children, Paul (Jenny Rees) Clark, Carrie (Kelly) Merrill, Trudy (Ted) Peterson, Brian (Krystn) Clark, and Jennifer (Gordon) Clark; 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; sister Helen Clark (Dennis) Griffith, and sister-in-law Lucille Peterson Clark.
Viewing will be Friday, 7 October 6-8 p.m. at Allen Hall Mortuary in North Logan, 420 E 1800 N. Funeral Services will be held at noon 8 October in the Smithfield 7th ward chapel, 50 East 200 South, preceded by a viewing from 10:00 to 11:30. Interment will be in Smithfield City Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to make a contribution to the USU R.T. Clark Photography Scholarship Fund (at usu.edu/rtclark, or by mail to: 1590 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322) or the charity of your choice.