Dr. Robert "Bob" Travis Clarke

Dr. Robert (Bob) Travis Clarke, born November 17, 1937 in Brooklyn, NY, passed away October 4, 2024. He grew up in East Meadow, Long Island, with parents Tresper and Mary Louise Clarke, and a brother Bill, all of whom predeceased him. Bob attended Muskingum University in Ohio, then transferred to the University of Oklahoma for a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1959, his Master of Science in 1961, and Doctor of Philosophy in 1963 in Palynology (study of fossils, spores, pollen). After completing his PhD, Bob began his professional career with Mobil Oil, where he spent 37 years working in the oil and gas industry, visiting offshore rigs and drill sites, and organizing continuing education geology field trips for Mobil Oil scientists and engineers. He was an active member of the following professional organizations throughout his career: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Geological Society of America, Society for Sedimentary Geology, American Association of Stratigraphic Palynologists. 

Bob enjoyed securing instructors, and scheduling planes/boats/vans/cars/hotels/meals while organizing many field trips to wonderful locations throughout America, Canada, Mexico, and Bahamas. He and the teams he led studied rock formations, scouted potential oil and gas sites, and surveyed the topography of various natural geological sites. For AAPG, he even led trips to Mexico, Argentina and Chile, as well as AASP field excursions. Bob was also an avid Swiss stamp collector since childhood, who was proud to share his stamp collection with his family, and display his compilations at philatelic conventions and gatherings. He was a member of the American Helvetia Philatelic Society, American Philatelic Society, and the local Mid-Cities Stamp Club. 

Over the years, Bob enjoyed seeing his sons and grandchildren play soccer and other sports, as well as engaging in other extracurricular activities, such as Boy Scouts. At holiday gatherings or birthday celebrations, he would often share very detailed stories of his world field trip travels, his stamp collecting endeavors, his love of the Dodgers baseball team, and the many wonderful experiences he had throughout his lifetime. And, at some point during those stories, Bob would often use the phrase, “Oh, hello…”, when he was describing the most exciting part of his tales. While his family will no longer hear that signature phrase, they will cherish those memories always. 

Bob will be greatly missed by his friends and family. He leaves behind his loving wife of almost 33 years, Carol Atkinson Ivie Clarke, who has been by his side for many of Bob’s adventures and life experiences. 

Bob is also survived by his four sons, Carol’s two children, 19 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and another to arrive next year.

David Clarke – Cathy, Caitlyn and Corey

Kevin Clarke – Robin, Micah, Noah, Jonah, Tyler, Trevor, Tate and Tanner

Tim Clarke – Kristi, Sydney and Sarah

Darrell Clarke – Chris Racine

Chris Ivie – Jessi, Ryan, Emma and Pollyanna

Meredith Ivie Schwanke – Paul, Silas, Arlette, Eliana, Delilah and Ivy

As well as a sister-in-law, 3 nephews and a niece in New York. 

Bob’s wishes were to spend his final resting place at Big Bend National Park. Later this year, the family will take him for one last field trip to celebrate his memorable work and extraordinary life. 

If you would like to honor Bob’s memory and his life’s work, donations can be made in his name to: 

AASP Foundation

14419 Lotusbriar Ln.

Houston, TX 77077

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JMGYALEKDUW6S