Robert was an inspiration to many children

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 08:54

Musselburgh Citizen of the Year Robert Clark has died, aged 67.

Mr Clark, a former chemistry teacher, church elder and founder of the St Ninian's Junior Concert Party, was presented with the award by businessman Tom Farmer in April for his dedicated work with children.

He was also awarded The Evening News Youth Initiative Award last year.

Mr Clark was born in Musselburgh on 18 April, 1942, the eldest son of Robert and Bunty Clark.

His siblings Jean, the late Alan, and Nancy followed after.

His family moved to a new-build estate in east Musselburgh in 1953, into a house that would become his home for the rest of his life.

St Ninian's church was built in 1956 and became the focus of Robert's life, a devotion that earned him the position of church elder while still in his 20s.

Following a successful charity concert in the church's founding year, Mr Clark and his friends decided to make it an annual occasion and the St Ninian's Junior Concert Party was born in November 1959.

He attended Musselburgh Grammar School before going on to study chemistry at Edinburgh University, gaining a degree followed by a teacher training certificate from Moray House College of Education. In 1966, Mr Clark returned to Musselburgh Grammar as a chemistry teacher, and was promoted to principal teacher of chemistry at Newbattle High School in 1973.

Colin Taylor, headmaster of Newbattle High, said: "He had an infectious passion for his subject, and inspired many of his pupils to go on to careers in science at the highest level.

"Robert successfully ran many extra-curricular activities; cricket, theatre visits and a wide range of outings, sustaining this involvement throughout his career."

Mr Clark loved travelling and from his first tentative steps to London to visit his Aunt Maisie and sample the West End shows, he went on to bag many a Munro, hike the frozen wastes of the Arctic, sail up the Amazon and tour Australia and New Zealand.

He never married or had any children of his own.

But the Concert Party children accompanied him on many adventures. He took them on various trips and holidays to Morocco, Tunisia, Romania, Euro Disney and France.

Musselburgh East councillor Andy Forrest said: "I have worked with Robert for many years and his enthusiasm for what he did never waned.

"His input into the community will be sadly missed."

Irene Tait, former member of the Concert Party and current chair of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, said: "Robert never looked for plaudits and was comfortable to stay in the background regardless of the fact that his creative talents lit up Musselburgh."

Mr Clark spent his final days preparing for the Concert Party's Golden Anniversary Reunion, up until his death on 26 October.

His last words were: "Please see that the reunion goes ahead and try to keep the Concert Party going."

There will be a church service in celebration of his life in St Ninian's on Saturday, and the reunion concert will be held in his honour in the Mayfair in Musselburgh on 14 November at 7:30pm.