A. Gordon Clark, former senior vice president of sales and marketing for Freightliner Corp. and consultant to Daimler AG when it entered in the U.S. trucking market, passed away on Sept. 2, in Chagrin Falls, OH. He was 90.
Clark's transportation career spanned seven decades and featured positions both in the U.S. and abroad. After serving in the Canadian Navy during World War II, he started his business sales career disposing of war surplus materials.
Clark joined White Motor Corp. in the early 1950s as branch manager of the company’s Toronto operation. He was promoted to lead the entire Canadian sales and marketing operations and eventually was named vice president of sales and marketing at corporate headquarters in Cleveland, OH.
In 1980, Clark joined Daimler Benz AG as a consultant to help establish the company's North American truck business. He subsequently was appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing for Freightliner Corp., Daimler Benz's newly acquired truck manufacturing subsidiary in Portland, OR.
In 1989, Clark joined Penske Corp. and worked closely with Roger Penske in his effort to re-establish Detroit Diesel Corp.’s leadership in heavy-duty truck engines in North America. With Clark’s sales expertise, together with the industry’s first electronically controlled truck engine, the Detroit Diesel Series 60 became the dominant engine of choice among truck fleets. He retired from Penske in 2005 at age 83.
He was born on Sept. 5, 1921, in Toronto, Canada.
According to his family, Clark was known for his sense of humor and his love of travel. He also had a passion for animals and cars.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Maureen Clark, and his daughter Susan Clark.
Memorial Services will be held 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at Strough-Lawrence Funderal Home, 95 South Franklin, St., Chagrin Falls, OH. Memorial donations may be made in Clark's name to the Geauga County Rescue Village on 15463 Chillicothe Rd, Novelty, OH 44072, (440) 338-4819.