Len Clark, long time theatre organ enthusiast and former treasurer of CATOE, passed away on January 9th at the age of 91.
Len knew Jessie Crawford, Ethel Smith and many other prominent organists.
He was a wealth of interesting information about the history of Theatre Organ, Classical Organ, and the Hammond Organ. He played very well, and at one time had quite a collection of different historic Hammond Organ models.
Recently he had purchased a Walker digital theatre organ. It was common for organists from the area to visit him and play his fine instrument. He served CATOE (Chicago Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts) as treasurer for a number of years, and was always a very constructive force within the club. On the national level he was in charge of advertising for the A.T.O.S. (American Theatre Organ Society) publication (known at the time as the Bombarde) for more than a decade starting in 1972.
Len was a frequent attendee of A.T.O.S conventions, and well known to organ enthusiasts around the world as a result.
He will be greatly missed here in the Chicago area and across the globe by the many people who knew him. He is one of the last of a group that brought great dignity and grace to the theatre organ hobby.
Len was born on August 11th, 1914 at Momence Illinois. His parents Verna, and Fred Clarke, brother Fred, and sister Elizabeth Blanke, all predeceased him. He is survived by his life partner Bob Bearce and six nieces and nephews. During his lifetime he worked for the purchasing departments at Olson Rug Company, and Schwinn Bicycle Co..
January 30, 2006
CATOE
