Prof. Emeritus Charles Elias (“Eli”) Clark of Yale Law School Dies

It is with a heavy heart that I report that on June 11, 2011, Prof. Emeritus Charles Elias (“Eli”) Clark of Yale Law School died at age 89.

Here is an except from In memoriam: Charles Elias Clark ’47, Yale Daily Bulletin, June 14, 2011:

A specialist in the field of law pertaining to the transfer of family wealth, Clark was the Lafayette S. Foster Professor Emeritus of Law at Yale Law School, a longtime master of Silliman College at Yale and a World War II veteran.

“Eli Clark was an inspirational teacher and an invaluable mentor to generations of Yale students,” said Michael Graetz, the Justus S. Hotchkiss Professor Emeritus of Law, and a longtime friend and colleague of Clark at Yale Law School. “He was an indefatigable, and often indispensible, citizen of the law school and the university. His work on trusts and estates and their taxation educated students across the nation. Eli was a great storyteller, a raconteur — always with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Most importantly, he was a kind and gentle man and a loyal friend, a man who reveled in his family.” * * *

He retired from Yale Law School in 2004 after more than 55 years of service.

Clark’s major works consist of two casebooks of which he is co-author: “Gratuitous Transfers” (fourth edition, 1999) and “Federal Estate and Gift Taxation” (eighth edition, 2000). He also authored numerous articles and served as editor of the Connecticut Will Manual for 35 years.

For his exceptional contributions to the field of estates and probate law, he received an Award of Excellence from the Estates and Probate Section of the Connecticut Bar Association in 1992. For distinguished service to Yale and the community, he received the Mory’s Cup in 1987. * * *

Clark is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ann Atkins Clark; seven children: Charles E. Clark (Karen), Katharine Jensen (Ron), Susan Love, Robert T. Clark (June), Dorothy Chadwick (Terry), Annie Clark (Dave Thomas), and William R. Clark (Jennifer); 11 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at on Friday, June 24, at 11 a.m. at Battell Chapel, 400 College St.

Contributions may be made in Clark’s memory to the Annie and Elias Clark Scholarship Fund, Yale University Office of Development, P.O. Box 2038, New Haven, CT 06521-2038. The scholarship was set up by former members of Silliman College in honor of Annie and Elias Clark.