Oh, what a friend I had in Clay! This picture was taken at his home just a few months before he died.
I have a montage of memories, most of which don’t involve academics – he studied history, while I studied sociology. We hung out in the student union, shooting a lot of pool. He played in the delightful jug band, as did Jeff Kauffman (his future brother-in-law). He took up leather work, and I never did figure out how he wove those beautiful belts, or the tiny ring that I still have. He taught me to ride a motorcycle. He was part of a group of five of us who founded STASH – the Student Association for the Study of Hallucinogens, a drug education corporation. It was the ‘60s, after all. We initially funded it by each taking one 8-hour shift of a full time night job in the campus security office.
During our final, “upperclass” year at Beloit, Clay and I (and Jim Gamage & Ed (Leif) Zirkin) nearly died together. We were all involved in STASH and were driving my VW Squareback to New York to meet with some of our consultants. Except we ran into a little trouble. We were driving through the night, with Jim at the wheel & Leif riding shotgun. Clay and I were asleep in the back (seats out flat, no seatbelts). It was very windy, and rainy, and when we passed a semi we got blown off the road. After flipping 3 times, we all walked away. Other than the car being totaled, the biggest loss was Clays favorite cap from his beloved Ireland.
I didn’t see Clay and Becky after we graduated, until we had dinner together at the home of classmate Dan Richard & his wife Synnove during a visit to the DC area in 2011. It was a wonderful reunion, and being with both Becky & Clay was like coming home! We were back in each other’s lives & it was a joy, for as long as it lasted!
I was able to visit again in August, 2013, knowing that Clay was gravely ill. He was having some good days at that time, and I spent 2 wonderful days him & Becky, and got to meet one of their sons and their neice Suki (Jeff's daughter). I am so grateful to have had that time together, and to get to meet part of his beautiful family.
Clay was gentle and honest and loving. He was a true and steady friend, and I will remember him always with great affection.
Clay and I met in winter term, 1967, and I have fond memories of the good times we spent together when our on-campus tri-mesters coincided. I remember reading The Hobbit aloud to each other (when we should have been studying), endless games of pool, late night snacks at The Spot, and lots of long walks and talks. In 1970, during a period when Bob (Doud) and I were living in Beloit, Clay introduced us to the practice of Transcendental Meditation and made both of us some of the most beautiful leather sandals we've ever owned. Clay was gentle and kind. He had a keen mind, a joyful sense of humor and a radiant smile---captured so well in the photo Barb Royal has posted. I regret we did not keep in touch, and I'm deeply saddened to learn that he left this life too soon. Rest well, my friend.
Barbara Sands (Royal)
Oh, what a friend I had in Clay! This picture was taken at his home just a few months before he died.
I have a montage of memories, most of which don’t involve academics – he studied history, while I studied sociology. We hung out in the student union, shooting a lot of pool. He played in the delightful jug band, as did Jeff Kauffman (his future brother-in-law). He took up leather work, and I never did figure out how he wove those beautiful belts, or the tiny ring that I still have. He taught me to ride a motorcycle. He was part of a group of five of us who founded STASH – the Student Association for the Study of Hallucinogens, a drug education corporation. It was the ‘60s, after all. We initially funded it by each taking one 8-hour shift of a full time night job in the campus security office.
During our final, “upperclass” year at Beloit, Clay and I (and Jim Gamage & Ed (Leif) Zirkin) nearly died together. We were all involved in STASH and were driving my VW Squareback to New York to meet with some of our consultants. Except we ran into a little trouble. We were driving through the night, with Jim at the wheel & Leif riding shotgun. Clay and I were asleep in the back (seats out flat, no seatbelts). It was very windy, and rainy, and when we passed a semi we got blown off the road. After flipping 3 times, we all walked away. Other than the car being totaled, the biggest loss was Clays favorite cap from his beloved Ireland.
I didn’t see Clay and Becky after we graduated, until we had dinner together at the home of classmate Dan Richard & his wife Synnove during a visit to the DC area in 2011. It was a wonderful reunion, and being with both Becky & Clay was like coming home! We were back in each other’s lives & it was a joy, for as long as it lasted!
I was able to visit again in August, 2013, knowing that Clay was gravely ill. He was having some good days at that time, and I spent 2 wonderful days him & Becky, and got to meet one of their sons and their neice Suki (Jeff's daughter). I am so grateful to have had that time together, and to get to meet part of his beautiful family.
Clay was gentle and honest and loving. He was a true and steady friend, and I will remember him always with great affection.
Mary Allen (Doud)
Clay and I met in winter term, 1967, and I have fond memories of the good times we spent together when our on-campus tri-mesters coincided. I remember reading The Hobbit aloud to each other (when we should have been studying), endless games of pool, late night snacks at The Spot, and lots of long walks and talks. In 1970, during a period when Bob (Doud) and I were living in Beloit, Clay introduced us to the practice of Transcendental Meditation and made both of us some of the most beautiful leather sandals we've ever owned. Clay was gentle and kind. He had a keen mind, a joyful sense of humor and a radiant smile---captured so well in the photo Barb Royal has posted. I regret we did not keep in touch, and I'm deeply saddened to learn that he left this life too soon. Rest well, my friend.