Area optometrist for 54 years was an avid fly-fisherman and lifelong learner with an endless supply of jokes
Dr. Thomas H. Clark, age 80, of Colchester, Vt., passed away on June 18, 2024, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a monthlong struggle to overcome complications from infections after open-heart surgery. His wife, Anni Kristensen, was by his side every day through the month and held him in her arms as he took his last breath. He also was attended by his sister Virginia “Gini” Dutcher and nephew, Mickey Dutcher. During his long stay, several beloved family members came to visit. Tom, born in Glens Falls, N.Y., on July 16, 1944, was the son of the late Harold K. and Margaret (de Ste. Guay) Clark, also of Glens Falls. He was the youngest of four siblings and the only boy. In addition to his sister Gini, his other siblings were the late Barbara Carter of South Burlington, Vt., and the late Elizabeth “Liz” Healy of Glens Falls. When he was a Little League player, it was discovered that Tom had a congenital heart defect, and at age 14, in 1958, he underwent his first and, at that time, experimental open-heart surgery at Albany Medical Center in New York. Tom graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1962. After a year at Adirondack Community College, he went on to get his doctor of optometry degree, graduating as then the youngest person in his class, at the age of 24, from New England College of Optometry in Boston. After getting his degree in 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a captain. While in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. After finishing his Army service, he returned to Burlington, Vt., and opened his first optometry office, on Pearl Street. His office moved a couple of times to South Burlington and Burlington, but Tom was at his optometry office in Blair Park in Williston for more than 25 years. Many of his patients followed him throughout his 54-year-long career. He enjoyed seeing his patients year after year and continuing the conversation they had started on day one of meeting them. The feeling was mutual, and many personal stories and anecdotes and jokes were shared along with a thorough eye exam. Not only was Tom a gifted optometrist, he was also a consummate lifelong learner. Among the highlights of his career was providing innovative visual training to race car drivers, including…
Area optometrist for 54 years was an avid fly-fisherman and lifelong learner with an endless supply of jokes
Dr. Thomas H. Clark, age 80, of Colchester, Vt., passed away on June 18, 2024, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a monthlong struggle to overcome complications from infections after open-heart surgery. His wife, Anni Kristensen, was by his side every day through the month and held him in her arms as he took his last breath. He also was attended by his sister Virginia “Gini” Dutcher and nephew, Mickey Dutcher. During his long stay, several beloved family members came to visit. Tom, born in Glens Falls, N.Y., on July 16, 1944, was the son of the late Harold K. and Margaret (de Ste. Guay) Clark, also of Glens Falls. He was the youngest of four siblings and the only boy. In addition to his sister Gini, his other siblings were the late Barbara Carter of South Burlington, Vt., and the late Elizabeth “Liz” Healy of Glens Falls. When he was a Little League player, it was discovered that Tom had a congenital heart defect, and at age 14, in 1958, he underwent his first and, at that time, experimental open-heart surgery at Albany Medical Center in New York. Tom graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1962. After a year at Adirondack Community College, he went on to get his doctor of optometry degree, graduating as then the youngest person in his class, at the age of 24, from New England College of Optometry in Boston. After getting his degree in 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a captain. While in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. After finishing his Army service, he returned to Burlington, Vt., and opened his first optometry office, on Pearl Street. His office moved a couple of times to South Burlington and Burlington, but Tom was at his optometry office in Blair Park in Williston for more than 25 years. Many of his patients followed him throughout his 54-year-long career. He enjoyed seeing his patients year after year and continuing the conversation they had started on day one of meeting them. The feeling was mutual, and many personal stories and anecdotes and jokes were shared along with a thorough eye exam. Not only was Tom a gifted optometrist, he was also a consummate lifelong learner. Among the highlights of his career was providing innovative visual training to race car drivers, including…