World War II veteran celebrates 104th birthday

Celebrating 104 years of life is certainly a milestone worth honoring, but for Colfax native Robert “Bob” Clark it was more. He was surprised with a special outdoor celebration Aug. 14 at his residence at Park Centre in Newton.

Clark has lived in Jasper County for most of his life and is a World War II veteran. Like most vets, he doesn’t talk much about his service and doesn’t make a big fuss over his birthday.

Staff at Park Centre wanted to be sure his life was celebrated on his birthday and leading the charge was activity coordinator Lisa Blommers. For the past three or four years, Blommers has planned things for Clark “under the radar” to be sure he has a special day.

“He doesn’t like a big ‘todo’ made of his day, nor his time in the service. So, this put me in a very precarious position,” Blommers said.

The celebration was initially not to be as big; but after a conversation with a bus driver at Park Centre, Blommers discovered Clark was the oldest living prisoner of war in Iowa and possibly the country. After some research, she discovered he was in fact the oldest living POW in Iowa, and one of the last few living in the United States.

With the help of local and state veteran organizations, friends and family, a celebration was planned to honor not only Clark’s birthday but his years of service and sacrifice at war.

“I’ve felt led to do this,” Blommers said. “I had the help of many others. We all made it happen, to honor Bob.”

Clark was born Aug. 14, 1916 in Colfax. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1935. Clark lived through the Great Depression, learning how to work and save everything he could from an early age. When he was 26, he felt it was his duty to enlist and help fight in World War II. He served as a medium tank crewman and expert M1 rifleman. He was with the Company C-43rd Tank Battalion, 12th Armored Division, known as the Hellcats.

Clark’s tank was captured in France in January of 1945. Like many other prisoners, he was forced to walk in the historic “Black March” by his German captors. It was one of the harshest winters on record. He was kept as a prisoner at Stalag 5A, which was liberated May 16, 1945. Clark returned back to the states four days later. He was honorably discharged Nov. 17, 1945, from Fort Knox, Ky. He received many decorations and citations for his service including two Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal and a WWII Victory Medal.

Clark returned home to Colfax following the war and worked at the Monroe Table Company until he retired. He married Rose Feight in 1952 and the couple enjoyed 60 years of marriage together.

Marvin Rorabaugh, also a Colfax native, has known Clark for 72 years. The two attended the same church and Rorabaugh said he’s known Clark all his life.

“He’s an outstanding individual for the city, the state and the country,” Rorabaugh said. “He looked out for the small man.”

Beyond his military service, he also helped forming the band, The Nite Owls. They played in venues across Iowa and Missouri.

“Man could he play the piano. He was the most proficient piano player that ever was,” Rorabaugh said.

While not vocal about his service, Rorabaugh said he does have a brick from one of the buildings he was held in as a POW in his cabinet. Clark is now hard of hearing but according to Blommers he is still pretty sharp and a very upbeat person and can “make a bad day good.”

“Bob is the kind of man I would always want in my corner. He does not take his life for granted, never,” Blommers said.

When Aug. 15 rolled around, not even a derecho storm could stop the celebration for Clark. The American Legion Riders from across Iowa rode in a special processional outside Park Centre. The Newton Pacesetters performed and State Rep. Wes Breckenridge, Mayor Mike Hansen among others were in attendance. Clark had family from Minnesota, Indiana and friends from Colfax and Ankeny.

“I think Bob could feel the love and appreciation of many people on Friday. I don’t know as he knew what to think/make of it all, but he’s still pretty doggone sharp. He shed some tears along with many other people I know,” Blommers said.

Clark has resided at Park Centre since 2012. Blommers was so happy with how the celebration for Clark came together. The local VFW honored Clark with two POW MIA coins and a POW flag. It was clear that the community wanted to celebrate Clark’s service to our country and the Jasper County community.

Contact Pam Pratt at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or pampratt@newtondailynews.com