in memoriam
George Blair Clark ’51 died peacefully at home on Thursday, December 19, 2019 in Jacksonville, Illinois, at the age of 87. He was born on May 22, 1932, in Boston, the son of George Blair Clark, Sr. and Zelda Benn Clark. Blair grew up in Roslindale and attended the Longfellow School prior to gaining admission to Roxbury Latin. The Yearbook staff called Blair “one of the most popular and respected boys in the class.” His classmates praised him for being “industrious” and “thorough.” In addition to participating in varsity football, track, and hockey, Blair was a tremendous baseball player. His classmates remembered him frequently practicing on the baseball diamond long after all his teammates had finished. He was an inspiration to other boys “not just because of his ability, but also because of his drive, spirit, and sportsmanship.” He also sang in the Glee Club. Outside of school, Blair occupied his time bowling, bird hunting, and summering in Osterville on Cape Cod, where he participated in
54
Wi n t e r 2 0 2 0
a summer baseball league and worked at First National. He remained in touch with classmates and supported the school throughout his life, including as a member of Roxbury Latin’s Thomas Bell Society. After graduating from Roxbury Latin, Blair attended Harvard University. He graduated in 1955 and subsequently served in the United States Army. Blair earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1957. Blair then moved to Chicago to accept a position with Rand McNally in textbook sales to universities. Blair married Rhoda Alice Hertzberg on August 19, 1961, in Barrington. In 1962, Lawrence Hertzberg offered him a position at Hertzberg New-Method Book Bindery located in Jacksonville, IL. The company was launching a new division of reinforced paperback books that would become known as Perma-Bound Books. Blair and Rhoda moved to Jacksonville and made it their home. In 1976, Blair joined AG Edwards & Sons. With a lifetime interest in finance and investing, he developed a successful investment advisory practice at their Jacksonville office. He retired in 2000 and continued his active interest in private investing for the remainder of his life. Blair’s life was filled with diverse interests. In 1966, he was invited to join Jacksonville’s oldest men’s literary society, The Club. He delighted in researching various literary topics and reviewing books for his yearly presentation. He was an avid bridge player, an excellent tennis player, enjoyed reading and reciting
Shakespeare, and loved spending time with his hunting dogs. He had a passion for jazz and classical music, theater productions, fine art, and investing. The Clarks also enjoyed entertaining and traveling the world. On the occasion of his 45th reunion in 1996, Blair recalled: “RLS has a way of inspiring students. Years ago, on a history test, Gerhard Rehder asked us to identify the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. I failed to do so, but you can tell him I plan to redeem myself by visiting their 15th century castle on the Island of Rhodes [this spring].” His family and friends alike will remember him always for his delightful wit and great humor.
John Reardon Barry, Jr. ’54 died on November 8, 2019, at the age of 83. He was a resident of Maryland at the time of his passing. John was born on October 28, 1936 to Dr. John Reardon Barry and Ruth Keleher. He grew up in West Roxbury and attended the Richard Olney School prior to gaining admission to Roxbury Latin.
