Ralph Belmont Clark Jr

Lieutenant Commander Ralph Belmont Clark, Jr. (USN Retired)

Jan. 29, 1931 - Dec. 10, 2020

On Thursday, December 10, 2020, Ralph Belmont Clark, Jr., loving husband and father, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 89 surrounded by his loved ones.

Ralph was born in Camden, New Jersey to Ralph Belmont Clark, Sr. and Helen (Dilks) Clark on January 29, 1931.  After graduating from Vineland High School, in Vineland New Jersey, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1948 beginning his 28-year career.  Ralph received his Bachelors of Science degree in Math while attending the University of New Mexico's Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program and was commissioned as a naval officer in 1963.  While at UNM, Ralph met Elsie Mary (Griego) Clark while both working at the SaveRite/Payless drug store in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  They married on May 10, 1958.

Ralph had a passion for dogs, often saying "Life isn't worth living without a dog," and proved that by rescuing and raising 19 dogs throughout his lifetime.  He was an avid reader, having likely read every naval or submarine story ever written.  He was a true Navy man and often seen wearing his "Retired U.S. Submarine Service, Pride Runs Deep" ballcap and belt buckle.  He was known for his quick wit, sarcastic sense of humor, kindness and compassionate spirit.  Ralph was a humble man who always helped those in need.  He had a strong work ethic demonstrated through his love of gardening and maintaining his rental properties into his mid-eighties. 

Ralph served at sea onboard submarines, destroyers and aircraft carriers throughout a distinguished naval career, saying that he attributed much of his success to the lessons and discipline learned in the Navy.  He quickly rose up the enlisted ranks in the quartermaster naval rating before being commissioned as an Ensign, with his first assignment aboard USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr (DD-850).  After completing Communication Officer’s School, he served on a 9-month Mediterranean Cruise aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-60).  He then served as Executive Officer at the U.S. Naval Communications Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba a few years after the Bay of Pigs Invasion.  He attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, served at Commander Carrier Division as Communications Officer, then at Naval Communications Unit Number Five in Virginia Beach, Virginia, until he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1973.  He returned to Albuquerque and pursued a post-Navy career in real estate, rental management, and construction. He was a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars and US Submarine Veterans.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Belmont, mother, Helen (Dilks), sister, Nancy Ann Mazzeo, and brother, Tom Alan.  He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elsie Mary Clark, children Anna Marie Clark and Deborah Lynne Brown (Greg), two grandchildren (Lauren Brianna and Matthew Clark Brown) and Ralph’s younger sister, Marion Elizabeth McDowell, and many family members, of whom nine continued his legacy of service in the United States Navy. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Daniels Family Funeral Services – Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Rd. SE, Rio Rancho, NM on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 10:00 AM.  Interment with Military Honors will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Ralph Clark, Jr., to Paws and Stripes, 617 Truman St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 or via donation page on Paws and Stripes website (www.pawsandstripes.org) by clicking the silhouette of the dog in the upper right-hand corner that says “Save Two Lives”.