Last Trips: Tribute to Sid Clark

[Ralph]

Last trips:

Not in the Wanderlodge, but on the road through life. Reporting to
this Forum of the passing of a fellow Birder is one of the hardest
things to ever do. Sid Clark of the Dallas Texas area, a member of
the Lone Star Birds and various other groups, has passed into another
venue. Born in June of 1947, his passing is at an all too early age
of 58. Sid is survived by his loving wife Juanita and a son, two
daughters, his mother, and of course Joe-dog, the flopsy mopsy side
kick with a personality like his owner, and who remained at his side
even in the hospital.

This writer will never forget the pleasure of meeting this
outstanding individual the first time, a few years or so ago. Sid and
Juanita had just purchased their first Bird and the Lone Star Birds
were having a rally in Perrin TX. Into the campground Sid flew!
Parking that Bird on almost a dime, the brake set, the transmission
in neutral, he bounced out of that Bird, came walking up to me with
his hand out, a huge smile on his face and glowing like a new
expectant father. "Hi, I am Sid Clark" he exclaimed as he shook my
hand, that infectious smile getting broader by the moment. He
explained how he had been polishing the wheels and buffing the entire
Coach before coming to the rally. Now there are handshakes and then
there was a handshake by Sid Clark. Being a maintenance tech, the
forearms thick and muscled, you knew your hand had been pressed. Yep,
that first meeting left an impression that is still with me this day.
Sid, a man whom could be counted upon in lending a hand, a word, or
just diving right in no matter the task and the only question would
be, "Where do you want to start?"

A friend, wait, the word friend does not really do this man justice
for Sid was more than a friend to many of us. He touched our hearts
with the up beat of his being, the knowledge stored away in memory
and the ease of the way he presented ideas, suggestions and help.

Miss him, certainly, but gone, hardly, so long as I am around Bird's
my thoughts will drift back to something Sid had to say, and in
remembering that smile, it always brings a smile to this writer at
the thought of it.

It was refreshing, to all who had the pleasure to meet and share a
campfire with Sid. His personality was always so constantly up beat
and confident. And so he remained on the last trip in a short
lifespan.