Obituary of Richard Allyn Clarke

Richard Allyn Clarke or Allyn to all who knew him passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in Halifax Nova Scotia on January 23, 2023, weeks before his 80th birthday. Allyn was born in Montreal West. He and his brothers grew up in mining towns throughout Northern Ontario before the family settled in Toronto in 1952. After his graduation from North Toronto Collegiate, he attended the University of Toronto where he earned his BSc (Hon) in Physics and Chemistry and his MSc in Applied Mathematics. He also met his future wife, Sandra. Allyn then moved on to UBC for his PhD in Oceanography. Sandra joined him there following their marriage in 1968. Upon graduation, he began working at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography where he worked for 35 years as a research scientist with a focus on ocean circulation in the North Atlantic. He served as Head of the Ocean Circulation Division for 12 years. After his retirement in 2005, he continued to work at BIO as Scientist Emeritus for another 8 years. He was active in a number of global oceanographic and climate science programs, serving as the scientific coordinator for the Canadian National Committee for the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) from 1990-1996. He spent time as a visiting scientist in Kiel, Germany and Paris, France. He participated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Process and was lead author on the section on what new data for the ocean and frozen soils tell us about observed climate change. Allyn received a number of awards for his scientific contributions including the Award of Excellence from the Government of Canada, the J.P. Tully Medal in Oceanography from the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society where he had previously served as president, and the IOC 50th Anniversary Commemorative medal from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. As part of his work, he traveled to every continent except Antarctica and spent a total of 943 days at sea. His children, nieces and nephews, and later, his grandchildren delighted in receiving his postcards from around the world. Allyn was an active member of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax and served as President of the congregation and of the board for three terms. He was property chair and looked after the church building for more than 40 years. He particularly enjoyed leading church members on nature hikes and canoe trips. Spending time in nature was always important to Allyn and he shared this passion with his late wife, Sandra, even in their later years, through Sandra’s long illness with Alzheimer’s. Allyn will be remembered for his sharp mind, his generosity, his quiet gentleness, and his commitment to his family. Allyn leaves behind daughters, Michelle (Beau) MacKinnon, Rebecca (Juan) King, and Nancy (Seth) Bloom; brother, Warner Clarke; sisters-in-law, June Doan and Kathy Clarke; brothers-in-law, Don and Larry Beaton; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and most precious of all, his grandchildren, Alex, James, Aliyah, Nyla, Yael and Rosalina. He was predeceased by his brothers, Tom and Larry Clarke; and his beloved wife, Sandra. Allyn’s remains have been returned to the earth. Visitation will take place on Saturday Jan 28 from 3-5pm and 7-9pm at 2191 Armcrescent Drive East in Halifax. A celebration of Allyn’s life will be held in the Universalist Unitarian Church of Halifax, 5500 Inglis Street, on Sunday January 29, 2023 at 2pm. The family wishes to thank the residents and staff of the Berkeley Retirement community where Allyn lived in his final year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to T. J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Halifax, 902-835-4212. To leave words of condolence for the family please visit: www.tjtracey.com.