Richard E. Clark ’56

Dick, known as “Bonzo” to many at Princeton, died Oct. 22, 2014, in Cranberry Township, Pa., after a struggle with multiple system failure. An engineer, cardiothoracic surgeon, research scientist, teacher, and administrator, he lived a life of accomplishment.

At Princeton, Dick majored in chemical engineering and ate at Cap and Gown. He completed pre-med requirements and entered Cornell University Medical College after graduation.

Undertaking surgical training at the University of Virginia while also completing a master’s degree, Dick served in the Navy and later as a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. There he developed research interests in heart valves and circulatory support systems, including an implantable assistive device for cardiomyopathy patients. After serving as chief of surgery at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, he moved to Pittsburgh to develop a cardiovascular research center at Allegheny General Hospital.

In 1998, he accepted a position at Oxford University largely to test his implantable device, saving a young student who continues to thrive.

Dick published more than 300 scientific papers, headed many professional organizations, and especially enjoyed creating the national databases for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, now the gold standard for prospective clinical data.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by four children and nine grandchildren. Dick is sorely missed.