Keith Clark

Teacher/Coach 1949-1962 Keith Clark taught English and served as the head track and cross country coach for OTHS during his time at the school from 1949 to 1962. While in Ottawa he served as the City of Ottawa’s Recreation Director, and initiated many sporting events and summertime arts programs, including building the Ottawa Barn Theater at the Clark family farm. He was an active folksinger, songwriter, and concert promoter. He made his first LP recording, “Ballads of LaSalle County,” for Folkways Records in New York and the CD is still available from the Smithsonian Institution. He and his son K.C. (2010 OTHS Hall of Fame Inductee) performed on Studds Terkel’s radio show in Chicago and other broadcasts. Keith Clark brought many leading folk musicians to perform concerts in Ottawa, including Pete Seeger, Odetta, blues legends Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, as well as many others. In 1962 he moved to Palo Alto, California continuing his teaching and coaching at Palo Alto High School and teaching at Foothill College. As head coach of the Palo Alto tennis team, he established the finest record in California history. His teams received national recognition, and he was inducted into the High School Coaches Hall of Fame. Keith Clark also continued his songwriting and performing, becoming well known throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for his folksongs about local history and many songs for children. He continued to collaborate with Pete Seeger, former OTHS choir director B.J. Muus (also 2010 OTHS Hall of Fame Inductee), and others. He released many CD recordings of ballads and songs for children, as well as appearing regularly on public television.