Charles Robert Manclark

Charles R. Manclark, 86, passed away on February 3, 2015, after a brief illness. He was born in Rochester, New York on June 22, 1928, the son of Mary and Charles Manclark. The family moved to Pasadena, California in 1943, where Chuck continued his education. He was a graduate of Pasadena High School, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BS in Biology, and UCLA with a PhD in Microbiology Upon graduation he was a professor in the Microbiology Department at Cal State Long Beach, then UC Irvine School of Medicine.For the next 27 years Chuck worked in Bethesda, Maryland at the National Institutes of Health/FDA. As Director of the Laboratory of Pertussis, he had the vision to recognize what was needed to develop a new and safer vaccine. He knew that progress required improved understanding of the basic science for Bordetella pertussis, (whooping cough). He hired and then encouraged bright and talented scientists from around the world to tackle these problems. In 1990 the International Symposium on Pertussis honored Chuck for the success of the new vaccine. The World Health Organization and countries around the world continually invited him to lecture and demonstrate techniques for research, testing and production of the whooping cough vaccine. In addition foreign scientists would spend several months in the Bethesda Pertussis Laboratory learning those same techniques to take back to their own countries. Upon retirement Chuck and his wife moved to Santa Barbara where they built a home and became avid gardeners. He also became a member and trustee of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.Chuck is survived by his wife Doloras Manclark of 61 years, two sons Scott and his wife Kathryn and Tim and his wife Darlene and five grandchildren, Charlie, Ben, Hudson, Hayden and Harley He is also survived by his brother Dr. William Manclark and a sister Carole Meldau as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating Chuck's life will be held Monday February 23 at one o'clock in the Chapel at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93108. A reception will follow. Contributions may be made in his memory to Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, Attention- Development Department.

Charles Robert Manclark

June 22, 1928 - February 3, 2015