Birth: 1966 Death: 2024 Life was one big adventure for Ross Parker Clark IV, and he brought that spirit of adventure to the great many people whose lives he touched. With his beloved wife, Shivaun, and their treasured daughters, Malena and Nathalie, at the very center of his universe, his star burned so bright that he drew countless others into his beautiful orbit. Ross was born in Sacramento, California, to Lynette Clark and Ross Parker Clark III.
He passed away suddenly on August 5, 2024 at the age of 57. Ross got his BA in Aquatic Ecology from UC Santa Barbara, where he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and met the love of his life, Shivaun. Shortly after graduation, they traveled together on an epic journey to the tip of Baja, California.
On all their future camping and backpacking trips, they always cooked amazing meals and enjoyed each experience to the fullest. Ross and Shivaun loved traveling internationally as well and started bringing their children along from an early age to Chile, Italy, Thailand and so many other places. When Malena and Nathalie heard their parents say “It’s going to be an adventure” they knew they were in for something special!Ross dedicated his entire career to creating a sustainable future for our planet.
He earned his MS in Marine Ecology from Moss Landing Marine Labs and, starting in 1998, served as an environmental scientist on the California Coastal Commission. Later, as Santa Cruz’s first Climate Czar in 2007, he designed and implemented climate mitigation strategies for the city and established the Santa Cruz Go Solar campaign. In 2010, he founded the Central Coast Wetlands Group, where he created a strong sense of community among the staff while attracting millions of dollars in state and federal funding for programs to improve the restoration and management of wetland resources.
With thousands of scientific dives under his belt, Ross’s research helped put his beloved Stillwater Cove on the global kelp forest research map. He relished the opportunity to think broadly about how humans can sustainably utilize and protect the ocean, and became a sought-out expert in the field. He shared his expertise and vision for a sustainable future with the broader community by writing the Earth Matters column for the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Perhaps it was his love of the ocean that spurred Ross to become the fine sailor that he was. If you couldn’t hear his trademark laugh on land, then he was probably sailing on the Monterey Bay, always with a boatful of friends. At the Santa Cruz Yacht Club, he founded the Young Skippers program to help novice sailors gain experience racing keelboats, and served on the board.
As Santana 22 Fleet Captain, he organized the recent Nationals Regatta; and he recently returned from Santanarama in Stillwater Cove which, thanks to him, hosted a record number of participants from Santa Cruz this year. Ross had a long roster of true friends from all his activities, including BOG (Bunch of Guys) book club; regular Friday night neighborhood happy hour hangouts that he and Shivaun created during the pandemic; and making and sharing wine with friends through their partnership in Las Ondas Cellars. Above all, Ross was a family man.
His dedication to his wife and daughters was apparent in so many ways. Yes, he donned tap shoes and took tap dancing lessons with Nathalie, and yes, he built a soundproof room in his home so Malena could rehearse with her band Trestles. He and Shivaun were often seen holding hands as they shared all of life’s adventures together.
Ross is survived by his loving wife Shivaun; their two beautiful daughters, Malena and Nathalie; his parents, Lynette and Ross; his sister Laura Orth; and nieces Mackenzie, Allie and Danica; as well as by innumerable friends and colleagues, all of whom will hold him in their hearts forever.To share condolences with the family and get information about the Celebration of Life that is being planned, please visit https://rossclark.muchloved.
com. Donations in Ross’s honor may be made to the Ross Clark Marine Conservation Fund at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories online at giving.sjsu.
edu/rossclark. Honor with Flowers In memory of Ross Parker Clark Plant a Living Memorial In memory of Ross Parker Clark.
