PRENDERGAST, Clark
1936 – 2025
It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Clark Lee Prendergast on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. A longtime resident of Red Deer, his laugh, quick wit and kind heart will be missed by family, friends, neighbours and the thousands of students that passed through his classroom. Clark was born at the homestead on December 15, 1936, to Forest Cecil and Kathleen Alberta (nee Meeres) Prendergast. He was raised in the small hamlet of Condor and grew up on the skating rink. He loved the game of hockey and after he moved to Calgary with his family in 1952, he was the youngest player on the Western Canada High School hockey team. Shortly after high school graduation, Clark moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where he attended Lincoln Chiropractic College. After receiving his Doctor of Chiropractic degree, Clark worked in Medicine Hat, Alberta. A lifelong learner, Clark decided to return to school where he attended Concordia University in Montreal (Bachelor of Social Work) and then the University of Calgary (Master’s in Social Work). After completing his Master’s in Social Work, Clark spent time with the Department of Indian Affairs before settling into his chosen career as an instructor at Red Deer College (now Polytech). Clark taught at Red Deer College from 1970 until 1998. While at Red Deer College, Clark was instrumental in setting up the social work curriculum, which was later adopted by Yukon College and other colleges in Alberta. Clark loved teaching and spending time with students carrying out discussions or debates on almost any topic. During his teaching career, Clark had the opportunity to further expand his knowledge in his field. In 1976, he spent a year in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia working with Senior Citizens. In 1986 he attended the University of Alberta and completed his Master of Education degree with a specialty in Adult Education. But his fondest year away was in 1995 when he lived in Cambridge England, teaching at East Anglia College and assisting in setting up the social work program in Bucharest, Romania. Many of his weekends that year were spent as a tourist travelling to different locations all over Europe. It was while in England that he developed a love of yoga
and meditation. Clark spent his retirement years learning to play the banjo and he also joined a drumming circle. He belonged to a men’s group and was instrumental in setting up the Buddhist Meditation Centre in Red Deer. He attended yoga classes on a regular basis, and he loved to visit his grandchildren, even driving up to Edmonton to babysit on many occasions. In 2015, Clark received the Red Deer Community Access and Empowerment Recognition Award for Removing Barriers for People All Disabilities. Clark is survived by his loving partner, Margaret Walker; his son, Roderick Lee (Susan) and grandson, Markus; Daughter-in-law, Petra and grandsons, Clark Liam and Carter; his step children, Meghan (Glyn) and their children, Laurel, Ethan and Gavin; Kerry (Duresa) and his children, Calvin, Dylan and Blake; mother of his children, Kathleen Fuchs; his sisters, June Smithson, Kathy (Gary) Bergen and Shelley McKnight and many family members and dear friends. Clark was predeceased by his son, Christopher Shea; his brother, Herb; sister-in-law, Marlene; and his parents, Cecil and Birdie. A Private Family Gathering to celebrate Clark’s life will be held at later date. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2025-10-09
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com