CHAPTER 24 - REGGIE
From Richard's memoirs, recovered from his original WordPerfect files
Our son, Reginald Dennis Clarke, was born on 2 February 1942 at 10:20 P.M. while we were living at 2470 Saturn Avenue in Huntington Park. He weighed in at 6 pounds 13-1/2 ounces, with blond hair and blue eyes. From the very beginning, Reggie, always had a smile on his face. He laughed and cooed and was a delight for everyone around him.
As he grew a little bit older, maybe 3 or 4 years, I nicknamed him the “Boomer” or “Reginald K. Boomer” as I had visions of him becoming a real leader of his peers and a star athlete. Although he never became an athlete, he did show signs of leadership ability as he reached his teens. He was a happy-go-lucky type, very friendly, and well liked by everyone who knew him or associated with him. He appreciated good clothes and kept himself and his side of the room he shared with Dicky neat and orderly. He was interested in automobiles, even before he was old enough to drive.
Reggie started school in Colton at the Lincoln Elementary School. At the age of seven, according to his Mother, he had seven girl friends and was the teacher's “pet.” When we moved to Panorama City in 1949 he went to Chase Street Elementary School; then to Robert Fulton Junior High School and finally to Birmingham High School, graduating in June of 1959.
He was active in his school work and Church programs. He learned to play the flute while at Chase Street Grammar School and continued with it through junior high school in the school orchestra. He excelled in his Priesthood functions as he advanced through the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood. He obtained his Annual Aaronic Priesthood Awards each year. As in his older brother's case, I ordained him a Deacon, Teacher and Priest at the appropriate times and Sunday, 12 March 1961, I ordained him an Elder.
In his early teens, Reggie, was found to have a condition identified as “Paroxysmal Tachycardia” that causes attacks of extremely rapid heart beat. It is something Reggie has learned to live with and it did not interfere with any physical examinations he had for work, sports, etc. Dr. Franklin F. Ham, M.D. who examined him and diagnosed his condition gave him a list of suggestions for stopping the attacks. There were several but the one that interested me the most stated: “If the attack started during exertion, lie down and rest quietly. If the attack started while at rest, it might be stopped by undertaking some exertion such as running up a short flight of stairs.” He still has occasional attacks of this nature.
As the Bishop of our ward it was my responsibility to make recommendations for our young men to be advanced to the Melchizedek Priesthood and be ordained Elders. On 12 February 1961 I submitted Reggie's name to the Stake Presidency with the following comments:
“This boy is my son and although I risk criticism that a father naturally believes his sons are the greatest, I wish to convey to you that Reggie has always been most cooperative and diligent in his Priesthood and other Church duties. His record as an Aaronic Priesthood Bearer has been outstanding.”
On 17 September 1961 Reggie was interviewed for his mission call by Harold B. Lee, an apostle of the Church (and later President of the Church), as he was our conference visitor from Salt Lake. By letter dated 20 September 1961 from the First Presidency of the Church, as Bishop of the ward, I received notice of Reggie's call to serve in the Andes Mission and for him to enter the Mission Home on 6 November 1961 and to depart for his Mission on 13 November 1961. The letter was signed by David O. McKay, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. and Henry D. Moyle of the First Presidency.
Reggie fulfilled an honorable mission in Peru for two and one half years. Upon his return home he gave an outstanding report of his mission and his Mission President, Sterling Nicolaysen, reported that he was a good missionary while in the field. Among other areas in Peru he labored in Lima, Arequipa and Huacho and had the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu; the lost city, and probably the Capital, of the Incas that was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. I always wanted to see it but I know I never will, but I can bask in knowing that Reggie did.
Reggie went to Valley College two years before going on his mission. Upon returning he enrolled at Brigham Young University and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1966 and his Masters Degree in 1968.
While working on his Masters Degree at BYU, which included teaching and making class assignments, one of his students, a forty year old woman, submitted the following untitled essay in the Fall of 1967:
“He swept into the room as if impelled by a hurricane. Almost at once he became preoccupied with the moveable podium, and I found myself staring at the exposed nails supposedly joining the upper to the lower portion of the stand. I moved my eyes upward and saw a young man of slim, almost delicate stature, with fine facial bone structure and a rather aquiline nose. His eyes were blue, small and deepset, with fair, almost colourless lashes. His hair, reddish blonde, was a little sparse in front, when it swept up from a high forehead and was thick at the back and sides. He wore a dun-coloured corduroy jacket with a shockingly mismatched tie in a contrasting shade of blue.
“As he endeavored to facilitate the podium, he muttered inaudibly. I began to ask questions of myself. 'What sort of an English teacher was this who couldn't even make himself heard? Why didn't he finish off his sentences so that we could all hear the words clearly? Why did he look so weary and disinterested?' These were just a few of the questions I pondered on that first day and for a few days afterward.
“He didn't appear at all interested in English per se, and my bright bubble of enthusiasm was quickly perforated by the sharp needle of disappointment. His voice was low and at times barely audible, especially toward the termination of each sentence. He leaned his chin languidly on his left hand, whilst he gazed dreamily out to a point far beyond our vision. I wanted to hear him say that we were going to deal with a most precious requisite . . . our own language . . . for which men fought and died. Wycliffe's struggle to bring the bible to the English common people is but one example of his heroism.
“Not all my enthusiasm was squelched however, I was still eager to learn how best to express myself, so that I might communicate more fully and satisfactorily through the English language, both written and spoken.
“Perhaps, I mused, on that first day, our enthusiasm will kindle--or rekindle-- his enthusiasm. Yet how can a class remain enthused unless the teacher instilled and encouraged such enthusiasm? I left my first English class seriously considering the idea of changing classes before the expiring date, but as things turned out, I'm extremely glad I had the wisdom of second thoughts.
“He swept into the room as if impelled by a hurricane. His blue eyes flashed fire. When he lifted the portable podium I anticipated it crashing down on the table. The teacher was very angry; frustration and impatience oozed from every pore. His discordantly contrasted tie flared as he strode across the room. With both hands pressed firmly on the podium he scanned the class, blue eyes spitting fire, and (or it seemed to me) an expression of almost incredible unbelief on his face. He asked the class what it thought about the Forum speaker of that day, but without waiting for a response, launched into a verbal attack of various facets of the speech.
“Ah, now, here was a man alive and conscious of his profession. A man sincerely interested in the spoken and written word. A man for whom vague abstractions meant frustration and the very real sense of having been misled.
“As he delivered his justified attack he appeared to grow taller in stature. His usually drawling manner of speech quickened and gained my complete attention. My heart positively lifted with joy. There was more to this man than his usually, gently mien would have us believe. I felt happy to think I had not allowed first impressions to overcome wisdom. Here was a man to whom I would give the last word, literally: for whom it would be a pleasure to work, if only to see the bright spark of enthusiasm flash in those blue eyes.
“The longer I live, the more certain I become that first impressions are often wrong impressions. In retrospect I feel his apparent laissez-faire attitude was perhaps a defense for a certain innate shyness toward his new class. Now that he is better acquainted with his class I hope to experience more of his infectious enthusiasm. I wish each session were twice as long.
“Dr. Charles Malit twisted the lion's tail, and I'm so delighted at its roar I'll even concede my English teacher's taste in ties to be impeccable.”
Reggie gave the lady an “A” on her essay and said he was at a disadvantage but that her theme was well organized, etc.
He enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle and after three years of study received his Doctorate in English Literature. (1971)
While at the University of Washington, Reggie met Elizabeth Piranian, a Registered Nurse working in Seattle and a member of the Church. On 27 March 1969 after they had decided they were meant for each other, Liz wrote the following letter to us:
“Dear Mr. & Mrs. Clarke,
It was with much delight that I received and read your good letter. I am looking forward to the day when we will have the opportunity to meet.
It is amazing how certain events in life lead to others. The thought of moving to Seattle was quite undesirable to me. Many good things have happened here. The greatest blessing to me has been finding Reggie. His attributes have reached beyond my expectations. I never thought it possible to love and respect a person so much. He must have some wonderful parents.
Reggie let me read his Patriarchal Blessing before you had written. The responsibilities for the many blessings promised will be great.
Reggie has been planning to write to you for several days. Just in case this letter reaches you before his does, we have set our wedding date for Sept. 5th.
Due to a few things Reggie told me, it will probably be no surprise to you that we are not planning on a wedding reception. My parents would like to do something for us since the bride's father has this responsibility. If you have no objections, they will provide for the wedding breakfast after the Temple ceremony.
We are planning to send out announcements. We would appreciate at this time an estimate of how many you would like sent out. Reggie will probably communicate regarding theses things in more detail with you.
Reggie stated that you desire to have a picture of me. I have no recent ones. We may buy some film & take advantage of a nice day.
May all be well with you.
Love,
Liz”
Reggie and Liz asked Marion D. Hanks of the First Council of Seventy to perform the marriage ceremony in the Temple. Elder Hanks asked them to write a letter to him expressing their feelings toward marriage and the Church; to which they complied. DeVonne and I were able to attend the Wedding and the breakfast and meet Liz's parents, David and Hilde, for the first time. DeVonne's mother also attended the wedding and breakfast.
They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on 5 September 1969. They decided not to have a wedding reception; however, Liz's parents were hosts to a very nice wedding breakfast at the Heidelberg Restaurant in Salt Lake City that was attended by several relatives, friends and Church members. Following the breakfast, Liz and Reggie returned to Seattle and the University.
We were also able to attend Reggie's graduation exercises when he received his Ph.D. in English Literature at the University of Washington on 12 June 1971. Liz at the time was four months pregnant with Natasha.
After spending four years as an undergraduate, then two years for his Masters Degree and another three years for his Doctorate, Reggie was well prepared to accept a position teaching English Literature in any College or University in the country. But, at the time he received his Doctorate the bottom fell out of the English Literature curriculum. It seemed that students were no longer interested in studying English Literature. They were more concerned with professions that would bring them more money and the luxuries of good living. As a result the enrollment numbers in English Literature took a decided drop. That meant that those who were already established in the English Departments throughout the country's schools of higher learning fulfilled the needs of their departments and no one was hiring new or additional professors or teachers. Reggie was caught in this predicament.
Upon receiving his Ph.D. Reggie accepted a position at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho and taught English for a year there.
Natasha Ann was born on 12 November 1971 in Rexburg, Idaho.
After one year at Ricks College and surviving the cold winter Reggie and Liz decided they had enough of that kind of weather. In addition, Reggie was not too enhanced by teaching Freshman English when his interest lay in English Literature. They moved to Utah and he began teaching at BYU in the English Department but he only had one or two classes to teach which also became discouraging to him.
After a year at BYU and no indication that things would improve there Reggie took his family back to Seattle and the University of Washington and accepted a job in the Library. This he felt would give him the opportunity to keep current on jobs available in his chosen profession.
Sonya Ruth was born on 19 September 1974 in Seattle, Washington.
Probably no one has spent as much time following up job opportunities as Reggie. He has written to all parts of the world applying for positions advertized for English teachers or instructors. In January 1975 he took his family to Australia where he had accepted a position with the University of Melbourne as an English tutor. He had a contract that was renewable for two additional years but after the first two years Reggie decided he might as well come back to the States and find a job here rather than wait another year and still have the same job hunting ahead of him.
Jeffrey Peter was born on 16 April 1976 in Melbourne, Australia.
On 29 January 1977 Reggie and his family returned to the States and settled in Salt Lake City where he got a job in the Library at the University of Utah. In early 1980 they moved to Orem, Utah and he went to work in the City Library.
By 1980 it had become obvious to DeVonne and me that Reggie and Liz had lost interest in the Church and were not attending meetings or taking any part in Church activities.
On 17 February 1981 Reggie left for Libya to teach English to the students of Tripoli. He left Liz and the children with her parents in Park City, Utah with the intention of sending for them once he became established in Libya. The political situation in Libya, especially with respect to the United States, became such that President Reagan instructed all Americans to leave the country. Reggie complied with this and returned to Utah on 21 January 1982. The next month he was back at the Orem Library working at his old job again.
Approximately a year later he moved to Northridge, California and began working in the Library at California State Northridge University.
While living in Northridge Reggie let us know in very specific terms that he was no longer interested in the Church. He did not want anything to do with it and stated he did not want his children raised in the Church.
To a large degree I believe Reggie's view of the Church and those around him with less education stems from the academic background he received in obtaining his Masters and Doctorate Degrees from institutions of higher learning, including BYU. I personally observed agnostic or atheistic views in my professors at Stanford, noted it with educators at UCLA, and find such views prevalent throughout the academic world of today. It also widely exists in the political arena of the United States. People with such views look only for factual data that can be proven scientifically or by reason, rather than allowing Chapter and Verse of the Holy Scriptures or the witness of the Holy Spirit to testify the truth unto them. Reggie has become ensnared by the academic viewpoint and now disregards the teachings of his youth from both his parents and the Church.
A year and a half later he was accepted for a teaching position at the University of Guam and moved his family there in August 1985 for three years. He taught English at the University.
Reggie and his family returned to the States in May of 1988 and unable to find a job within the States for the coming year, he accepted a position with the Saudi Arabian Government to teach English in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a year. He taught five different classes, including: English Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The fifth subject was English Grammar that he avoided as much as possible. He taught a total of 20 hours per week which is more than he did in any previous assignment anywhere. Ironically, we received two phone calls for him regarding teaching positions in the United States the day after he left for Saudi Arabia.
As of this writing Reggie has just returned from Saudi Arabia (July 1989) and has decided he has had enough of the country. According to him, Saudi Arabia is like “another world.” You might as well be living on Mars or another planet. The climate is hot, dry, dusty and sandy. The customs are so severely different from anything to be found in the United States, as well as most foreign countries, that there is little to appeal to an American.
Although DeVonne and I are very disappointed in Reggie's disassociation with the Church we remember him in our prayers and look forward to the day when he will return to activity in the Church and bring his family back with him. We both love him and want him to enjoy the blessings that are in store for those who love the Lord and strive to keep His commandments.