Elise and David Clark

Elise and David met on a blind date, an event they describe as the luckiest in their lives. After about a year of courtship they married in Williamsburg, Virginia, and this coming autumn will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. 

Although Elise was born in Michigan, she spent her formative years in Norman, Oklahoma, and later moved to Williamsburg when her father became a professor at the College of William and Mary. Early on, she developed an interest in Science, Horticulture in particular, and graduated with dual majors in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design and Floriculture and Indoor Plants.

David, born in Texas, grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Like Elise, he pursued a general interest in Science, but, for him, with a focus on Chemistry.  Upon receiving an undergraduate degree, he continued his studies and holds a doctorate in Chemistry.  His career was largely in the area of medical diagnostics while Elise held positions, both professional and as a volunteer, in horticulture, education, and education program development.

Employment opportunities in their areas of expertise allowed them to live in many parts of the United States—New Jersey, Indiana, Maryland, Colorado, Maine, and Arizona.  Vacation time frequently found them in a state or national park, and they have also enjoyed visiting Santa Fe, Maui, and sites throughout Colorado.

They retired in Salem, Virginia, partly because it is about halfway between the two branches of their family and because they love the Blue Ridge Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway.  Before retirement, and especially afterwards, David has continued in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps in woodworking and building furniture.  Many pieces in their home were made by these three.  Also, with an interest in computer programming David has taught related courses and published two dozen computer science articles in academic journals and popular press.

Elise has enjoyed perennial gardening. In each of the many different locations she has lived she learned about the local ecology.  Over the years she has expanded her interest to include amateur landscape photography and following news about space and Earth Science.

Both are fervent readers—Elise, mysteries, and David, science fiction and fantasy, with an occasional foray into computer science.  They enjoy journaling and are on-again/off-again wannabe artists in several media.  They listen to a variety of music daily.

The Clarks expect Westminster Canterbury Lynchburg to be a place where they can easily continue pursuing their interests, find new educational opportunities, and make new friends.