May/June 2003 issue
In Memoriam: Judge Russell G. Clark
On Thursday, April 17, 2003, U.S. District Judge Russell G. Clark, who presided over the Kansas City School District's desegregation case, passed away in a Springfield nursing home. He was 77.
Judge Clark was born in Oregon County, Missouri. He was the youngest of ten children. He graduated as valedictorian of his high school class at Couch Consolidated School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1952, he received his law degree from University of Missouri at Columbia.
After graduating from law school, he joined the Springfield firm of Allen and Woolsey and later became a senior partner at Woolsey, Fisher, Clark and Whitaker.
In 1977 Judge Clark was appointed to the federal bench for the Western District of Missouri. He served as chief judge from 1980 to 1985.
Despite his daily commute from Springfield to Kansas City, he often made it to work well before the rest of his staff came in. He was also known for his diligent work ethic and inexhaustible patience.
Patience probably came in handy, since he oversaw the Kansas City School District's desegregation case from 1977 to 1997! His rulings in the case were sometimes considered controversial, resulting in both praise and criticism. In the end, he did what he thought possible to ensure equal education for the children of Kansas City.
Judge Clark retired from the federal bench in July of 2000. In his spare time he enjoyed golf and was an active member of his church. He will be greatly missed.
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