Clark David Benson of Tryon, NC passed away Saturday, January 31st at Polk Advent Hospital in Columbus, NC. He was born October 8, 1947, in Chicago, IL to Clarence and Dorothy Benson. Clark and his wife, Martha, moved to Tryon from Washington D.C. in 1994 after his retirement from the U.S. Secret Service.

Clark was a devoted husband to the love of his life and high school sweetheart Martha and cherished their 54-year marriage. He lived a life of service to his country and his community.

He proudly served from 1966-1970 in the U. S. Air Force as an aircraft weapon systems mechanic. He was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado and K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan and overseas duty stations in the Philippines and Thailand.

His military service was followed by a long, distinguished career in the U.S. Secret Service where he rose through the ranks to Chief of the Uniformed Division. During his early years, in addition to performing his regular duties as a uniformed officer, Clark enrolled at American University where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Administration of Justice. As Chief, he led a force of over 1,100 sworn Uniformed Division officers providing security for the White House, the vice president’s residence at the Naval Observatory, foreign diplomatic missions in Washington, D.C., and agency protection missions worldwide.

In his retirement years, Clark devoted much of his time to serving the Foothills community. He served on the Tryon Town Council for 10 years; on the St. Luke’s Hospital board of trustees (Chairman); on the Polk County Community Foundation board; on the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation board; with the Habitat for Humanity building crew; and was a volunteer with the Lanier Library and the annual Shepherd’s Feast.

Clark’s love of animals was also an important part of his life. Pups Emerson, Palmer, Zinger, Tawba and Lizzy were treasured companions who gave him great pleasure and lasting memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dean Benson.

He is survived by his wife, Martha and his sister, Ann Rudolph of Olivia, MN. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Mary Nell Adams, Sparta, TN; Peggy Sargeant, Stuart, FL; Anne Kern, Gettysburg, PA; Melanie Keller, Orrtanna, PA; and brother-in-law, Mel Sargeant, Kurten, TX.

A private family, Christian service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a favorite charity or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.