Clark Adams Memorial Service - June 3, 2007
by Mel Lipman

This past Friday I was in New York attending a memorial service for Kurt Vonnegut, who was honorary president of the American Humanist Association.  If you're wondering how an atheist views death, Vonnegut provided some guidance in his recent book, "A Man Without a Country".  Vonnegut discussed a presentation he gave at a memorial service for Isaac Asimov former, AHA president.  He says, "We had a memorial service for Isaac a few years back, and I spoke and said at one point, 'Isaac is up in heaven now'.  It was the funniest thing I could have said to an audience of humanists.  I rolled them in the aisles.  It was several minutes before order could be restored.  And if I should ever die, God forbid, I hope you will say, 'Kurt is up in heaven now".  That's my favorite joke".

<>Well, Clark is now up in heaven with Kurt and Isaac, both hysterically laughing at this joke.

Clark Adams' sense of humor was unique and because of his mastery of technology, he was always ready and able to share the humor with the rest of us.  When the Secular Coalition for America had a fund drive, Clark sent them a check.  Can you guess the amount?  It was for $666 dollars.

<>Friends, we are here today to celebrate the life of Clark Adams. <> 

Some freethinkers say, "When I die, please, no service for me, just cremate me and get on with life".  But I must remind those of you who might hold such a position that a memorial service, while centering upon your being, character and life, is not for you alone.  It is mostly for those coming after you and for those of us left behind.  It is difficult enough to lose someone, but it is doubly difficult to be robbed of a chance to say farewell. <> 

Each of us must say certain goodbyes to one another in the privacy of our own hearts, but there is also a need for communal testimony.  I must cry by myself when you die, but I also need to cry alongside our common buddies.  My stories about you are enriched by the anecdotes and memories of others. <> 

You see, we don't only die alone; we die in a context, in a community, however tiny or fragile it may be; a community of love, anguish, remembrance and continuity.  We need to gather together.  We need to bind ourselves together in "your" honor.---to embrace your death and celebrate your life as well as stare at our own death and recharge our living. <> 

As a Humanist celebrant, in the past 15 years I have officiated at over 50 memorials, including several friends and my own mother-in-law.  I could be objective because I was not personally grieving.  This is the first memorial at which I am grieving along with the rest of you.  Of course our grief is not nearly as great as those who knew him more intimately.  Jennifer and Judy, please-- feel the support of our entire community. <> 

This is a sad day.  When an old person dies we may grieve, but we can accept more readily that a full life has been lived and has drawn to its inevitable close.  But when life is ended before its inevitable close, we grieve more deeply, because sorrow is a reflection of the love, and the happiness we shared with the one who is gone.   Clark is not now suffering or grieving.  We grieve as a community and try to console and comfort each other because we know that our own lives will never  be the same without him.  The world is a poorer place without Clark, but it will always be a richer place because he was once in it. <> 

When I first heard about Clark's death, among the many emotions I felt was anger.--  Anger at  Clark for depriving me of his future presence. ---But haven't there been times in our lives when the most pleasant prospect we can have is to go to sleep?---When the cares of the day, the burdens and responsibilities of living and sheer fatigue make the denial of that prospect intolerable?  None of us can judge when others reach that point in their lives. <> 

Usually at memorials we hear a lot of facts about the life of the person we are honoring.  Most of us already know the facts, so rather than take the time to relate them now, I will refer you to the website of the secular coalition for America, a national coalition in which Clark was a founder and for which he obtained all the necessary corporate papers here in Nevada.  Their website is secular.org.  There is also a statement the American Humanist Association posted and you can see that at americanhumanist.org. <> 

I leave on Tuesday for the AHA conference in Portland, so two days won't be enough time to talk about all of Clark's contributions to the growth and acceptance of freethought in this country.  But let me share some of my perspectives on Clark's contributions here in Clark county (a fitting name). <> 

I may be fuzzy on exact dates, but I seem to recall that Clark arrived here from Alabama about 5 years ago.  He immediately sought out the local humanist chapter---we were then the only show in town---and became a member.   <> 

He was a very active Halvason member and soon became its president.  As president he was concerned that some of our members did not agree with some of the American Humanist Association's social policies.  And it disturbed those members that to become a voting member of Halvason they had to be a member of the AHA. <> 

So he organized the Las Vegas Freethought Society.  I felt "betrayed" that he had formed what I then considered a "competing" organization.  It took me several months to realize how correct he was and how wrong I was.  Clark was concerned with the growth of humanism and freethought as a movement, while I was more concerned with the growth of our organization. <> 

In the past few years, both of our organizations have worked together, co-sponsoring and publicizing events by both groups.  The synergistic effect that Clark had foreseen, has resulted in the total number of nontheists involved in our movement to grow tremendously. <> 
In addition to the other organizations to which Clark generously contributed his time and money, he was a life member and major donor to AHA.  He was scheduled to present a workshop this coming week at our conference in Portland. <> 

Clark devoted much of his life to the freethought movement and the least we can do to truly honor his life is to keep on going as a community of reason. <> 

No one who encountered Clark failed to be warmed by his zest for the adventures of life; for affection and friendship.  And no one who knows of his tragic death will remain untouched by it, nor fail to ask themselves if they could have done anything to prevent it.  <> 

Life exists in the time span between birth and death.  Life's significance lies in the experiences and satisfactions we achieve in this span of time. The delight and laughter which packed Clark's short life will live in the memories of his family and friends much longer than the bewilderment over the choice he made in the end.  We must be daring enough to remember him with happiness. <> 

At this time, Clark's dear friend Rob would like to talk about his memories of Clark.---memories to which we can all relate.

[Rob delivers eulogy]



<>Finishing Remarks

As humans, we do not have the power to abolish death.  But we do have the power to value life.  And we do this in our humanistic memorial services.  Our refusal to forget,

Our insistence on remembering persons as persons, is our defiance of death and our tribute to life.

<>Clark fitted as much varied experience into his 38 years as most of us do into a long life.  So let's remember him for his enthusiasm and enjoyment , and for the warmth and love that radiated from him.  And, of course, for the enjoyment he gave us all with his humor. <> 

I can imagine Clark, before he died,  paraphrasing Woody Allen and thinking, "Well, I don't believe in an afterlife, but I'm glad I brought a change of underwear, just in case.". <> 

And now, would anyone else like to share some anecdote or memory of Clark?
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