A man who first entered politics at the early age of 23, becoming Alberta's youngest MLA at the time, has passed away.  

Longtime Carstairs resident Bob Clark died this week at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary at the age of 83.  

Clark was known for more than his politics.  He was a community leader, Alberta's first ethics commissioner, a recipient of the Alberta Lieutenant Governor's Award for public service, the GM of the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Olds Grizzlys, the chairman of the AJHL and an inductee earlier this year into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.

Clark was born in Acme in 1937.  At age 23 he was elected as the MLA for the Didsbury riding in a by-election, becoming the youngest MLA in the legislature.  He was re-elected in the newly-created Olds-Didsbury riding in 1963.  Three years later Clark was appointed Youth Minister by Social Credit Premier Ernest Manning, the father of former Reform Party leader Preston Manning.  After achieving re-election again in 1967 he was appointed Education Minister by new Premier Harry Strom.

He was re-elected again in 1971 and became the leader of the Official Opposition in Alberta in 1973.  He was elected the Social Credit Party of Alberta leader in 1975 and served in that position until 1980.  After being re-elected in 1979, Clark resigned his seat in November 1981.

He was named Alberta's first Ethics Commissioner in 1992, a position he held until 2003.  He was also Alberta's first Information and Privacy Commissioner from 1995 to 2001 and was appointed the chairman of the Alberta Election Boundaries Commission in 2002.

In 2003 Clark was the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's Award in recognition of his public service.  He was also an advisor for the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and served as Chairman of the Rural Alberta Development Fund.  For eight years, Clark was on the board at Olds College, serving as Chair for three terms.

Clark's love of sports was evident by his involvement in that field as well.  After his retirement from the Legislative Assembly, Clark became actively involved in minor hockey in Carstairs.  As chair of the Carstairs Recreation Board, he oversaw the creation of the Carstairs Minor Hockey Association.  In 1987, Clark became General Manager of the Olds Grizzlys of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and held that post until 1995 moving on to become President of the Club from 1996 to 1999.  In 1998 he became Chair of the AJHL as well as the Junior A Chair for the Hockey Alberta Board of Directors.  He held those positions through 2007.  This year Clark received the highest honour in sports in the province when he was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame.

In reaction to Clark's passing the Speaker of the Legislature and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper said it was a sad occasion for both the community and province and called Clark a "valuable mentor."

In a statement released by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, he expressed sadness over Clark's death and called him a great Albertan and legendary figure in Alberta politics. 

Kenney said, "He was always a passionate voice for his constituents, agriculture, and our parliamentary institutions.  On behalf of the government of Alberta, I offer my sincere condolences to Bob Clark’s family, loved ones and friends. 

There is no word yet on memorial or funeral services.  

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