Camp Clark was fortunate to have
outstanding directors throughout its forty-plus-year history: Harold Dunwoodie
in the ‘30s, Paul Favor in the ‘40s, and “Lat” Hannum and Bob Hastings in the
‘50s and ‘60s. The rewarding and unforgettable experiences of thousands of
young men at the camp are the direct result of the leadership of our directors.
It might be fair to say that no director was more loved and respected than “the
man with the pipe,” Bob Hastings.
His quiet and firm manner was
offset by his sly sense of humor and his genuine interest in the well-being of
each camper.
Excerpt from his
obituary from the NB Standard-Times, issue of Feb. 23, 2006
Robert M. Hastings, 92, of Marion and Port
Charlotte, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006, at Oak Hill Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center. He was the widower of Evelyn R. Hastings, who died in
1997.
Born in Orange, Mass., he was the son of the late Asa and Maude Hastings. He served in the Army during World War II.
He worked as a camp and youth director for the New Bedford YMCA from 1955 until he retired in the late 70s and was affectionately known as "Uncle Bob" at the YMCA Camp Clark. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Marion and was a member of the Lions Club. Mr. Hastings enjoyed furniture restoration and instructing others in the craft.
Born in Orange, Mass., he was the son of the late Asa and Maude Hastings. He served in the Army during World War II.
He worked as a camp and youth director for the New Bedford YMCA from 1955 until he retired in the late 70s and was affectionately known as "Uncle Bob" at the YMCA Camp Clark. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Marion and was a member of the Lions Club. Mr. Hastings enjoyed furniture restoration and instructing others in the craft.
Survivors include three sons, Alan R. Hastings
of Auburn, N.Y., Donald P. Hastings, of Hyde Park, Mass., and Warren K.
Hastings of Reston, Va.; a daughter, Janet L. Richards and her husband,
William, of South Carver, Mass.; eight grandchildren; and five
great-grandchildren.
3 comments:
Camp Clark had a tremendous impact on my life as did Jim And Harriet Whitehurst, Spike Denny, all the Campers and Counselors and of course Uncle Bob. I was a counselor from 1964 to 1966 and returned in 1969 with my wife who taught Minnows and help Harriet in the Craft shop. I was the counselor for Ike Babbit and work on the Waterfront my first year and was Co Pond Premier with Dick Riley after that. I hope this ste is still active. I loved seeing and reading the remembrances and have a few pictures I would share as soon as I can finish isolating due to Covid 19.
Was just informed of this blog tonight from a former camper. I worked with Dick Riley (Vietnam Vet) and ended up as his predecessor in 1969 on the waterfront. I was a Y guy from 1965 to 1974 and enjoyed 3 years at the camp that were the best of my life. I managed 3 cabins over those years ranging from the 5-6 year olds; 10 year olds; and the teenagers (remember the Archies singing Sugar? Heard that every morning on the transistor radio.) My brother followed in my footsteps as dishwasher and counselor. I was still working for the Y when the camp was sold to build out the new site on So. Water Street. I was devastated - it was the beginning of Y's becoming businesses and the end of what I would describe as a brotherhood - I made more business contacts in my teens and early 20s that lasted a lifetime. As a matter of fact, met one of my campers tonight - Brian Cormier - hell of a nice kid who still is recognizable. I don't know if Dick Riley is still alive but he would be one who would remember me as Moby Dick...Editorially, the sale of Camp Clark was one of the biggest blunders of Jack Ward..Finally, Bob Hastings was my mentor from 1965 to 1974 along with Al Sylvia...You can't make the camp up - it was real for those of us who went there...
Mike and Jim, if you read this post, please send me an email to shutterwi@gmail(dot)com. Please include your email address so I can add you to our email list.
Jim, the camp... now Camp Lyndon is still real, and you would recognize it immediately as the camp you once attended and love to this day.
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