Clark was born to Goodman and Florence H. (Angus) Thorstenson on April 15, 1936 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Immediately out of high school, Clark joined the Naval Reserves and then attended Brigham Young University before accepting a call to the Copenhagen, Denmark Mission where he served faithfully in both Denmark and the Faroe Islands. He married Colleen Powelson in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 15, 1962. A week later Clark graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Science and promptly moved with Colleen to Richfield, Utah where Clark began his teaching career. He taught seminary and worked with Native American students in Richfield as well as in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving on the reservations with students, parents, and multiple tribes to introduce to them the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Clark earned a master’s degree from Brigham Young University and then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, teaching at both the Institute of Religion and University of Utah while attaining a Ph.D. there in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Upon graduation, Clark returned to BYU, a place he loved, where he had a highly honored career that spanned more than four decades. Clark’s responsibilities were numerous and distinguished, but those he loved most were mentoring students who needed an ally or a second chance, teaching students that life and work is meant to be joyful, researching the therapeutic and life-altering effects of outdoor and wilderness survival, assisting students with job placement and helping students convert and grow their testimony of Jesus Christ as Associate Director at BYU’s Jerusalem Center. Clark also directed the Latin American internship program and throughout his entire career, taught Mission Preparation, Book of Mormon, and Church History until his 2001 retirement. Clark wrote/co-wrote three college texts and owned a consulting firm focused on nursing home management. He co-founded Bonneville Health Systems, co-founded Heritage Management, was the diplomatic vice consul of Iceland and an Icelandic Heritage Award recipient. Clark’s lifelong love of literature was voracious. He wrote written in a journal for decades, leaving over 10,000 pages of life lessons, testimony, and spiritual experiences for his posterity.
With a genuine interest in others, Clark fulfilled a lifetime of church leadership in a variety of capacities. After spending seven years with the Seminary and Institute program, Clark served for 12 years on BYU campus as a bishop, stake presidency member, and high councilor. Another 11 years were served in Salt Lake City at the Church Office Building in the presidency of the Church’s worldwide Activities Committee, overseeing all physical activities for the Church of Jesus Christ. Additionally, he served as a member of the Church’s Melchizedek Priesthood Board. In his home ward, Clark was known for ministering to the one and as a loving bishop who helped people believe in themselves and recognize it is never too late to redirect lives towards Jesus Christ. He also mentored countless missionaries as he and Colleen served as mission leaders in Houston, Texas from 1987 to 1990 while continuing to raise their three youngest children. Additionally, Clark spent two summers with Colleen serving as missionaries at the Cody Mural Chapel in Cody, Wyoming. Clark’s adventurous spirit followed him to 110 countries—most with his wife who was his favorite travel companion. He charmed his way into the hearts of unsuspecting audiences worldwide with his infamous magic tricks, which opened the door for him to always be a missionary, sharing the gospel during his travels while encouraging or edifying those he encountered.
Even with an impressive list of accolades, Clark’s greatest achievement was his family. Clark and Colleen created a 61-year love story. They went everywhere together and courted each other their entire lives. He and Colleen created a faith-filled home in Provo where they raised their five children with no shortage of activity, adventure, and conversation, fueled by Clark’s fun-loving personality and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He passed away on December 12, 2023.