Emeritus Professor of Medical Art Elon Clark Dies
Friday, January 26, 2001
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Elon Clark, a Duke University emeritus professor of medical art who
served at Duke Hospital from its opening until his retirement, died
Jan. 19 at the Highland Farms Retirement Community in Black
Mountain, following a long illness. He was 91.
As with many members of the early Duke medical staff, Clark arrived
at the university in 1934 from Johns Hopkins and one year later was
appointed director of the Department of Medical Art and
Illustration. As director, he led a research program that
concentrated on the development of improved cosmetic prostheses,
particularly facial restorations.
Clark was granted full professorship at Duke in 1952 and thereafter
broadened his responsibilities, becoming a special assistant to the
vice president in the area of archives. As a charter member of the
Association of Medical Illustrators, he became chairman of its
board of governors, and served on many of its committees.
"His caring about Duke Hospital's history and archives was one of
his main concerns," Semans said of Clark's dedication to Duke.
"Many of the archives and artifacts in the library were gathered
and protected by him."
Clark published many scientific papers and was art editor for
Urologic Surgery. Also among his accomplishments, in 1966, he
designed and produced a new identifying symbol on behalf of the
university.
Clark served for a time as president of the Children's Museum in
Durham (now the Museum of Life and Science), as a member of the
Warren Wilson College advisory board, and as a founding member and
secretary of the Duke-Semans Fine Arts Foundation.
Clark's wife, Helen Greene, died in 1977. He is survived by three
daughters, Judie Mauney of Asheville, Ann Scoville of Swannanoa,
and Joan Crosser of Creedmoor, as well as five grandchildren and
seven great grandchildren.
Arrangements for services were incomplete. Contributions may be
made to the Elon Clark Endowed Publication Fund, care of Earle
Price, DUMC Development Office, 512 Mangum St., S-400, Durham,
N.C., 27701.
