Ernest Clark Thompson ’52

Four days before his death, Clark Thompson said to his lifemate Susan Sanderson, "Mrs. Bisquit, take me home." He died May 1, 1994, from complications of prostate cancer at home in Essex, Conn., overlooking his beloved Connecticut River. He was with Susan, his mother, and two of his children. Clark's exuberant spirit was reflected in his memorial service, as his ashes were scattered in Hamburg Cove on the east shore of the river. Three hundred colleagues, family, and luminaries in the field of architecture then celebrated Clark's life at his home.

At Princeton Clark majored in architecture and belonged to Dial Lodge. After completing OCS at Newport, R.I., he served five years in the Navy. He then did design work at several NYC firms and in 1962 completed an architecture degree at Columbia. His most noteworthy work was as field architect for five major projects: Champion Paper Headquarters, Philip Morris, and Hunter College with UlrichFrantzen; the AT&T Building with Philip Johnson; and PitneyBowes corporate headquarters with I. M. Pei.

At the time of his death Clark was survived by his lifemate, Susan, his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Decker '32, a stepbrother, Peter Decker, his children, Victoria, Katherine, Sarah, and Penelope, and five grandchildren. Frank Decker '32 died in 1996. To all the survivors, we extend our deep sympathy.

The Class of 1952