Bud Clark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bud Clark
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Clark in 1988
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| 48th Mayor of Portland, Oregon | |
| In office January 3, 1985 – December 31, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Ivancie |
| Succeeded by | Vera Katz |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Elwood Clark Jr.
December 19, 1931 Nampa, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died | February 1, 2022 (aged 90) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Sigrid Fehrenbacher
(m. 1964; died 2000) |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Restaurateur, politician |
John Elwood "Bud" Clark Jr. (born December 19, 1931 – died February 1, 2022) was an American politician and businessman. He served as the 48th mayor of Portland, Oregon, from 1985 to 1992. Before becoming mayor, he didn't have much political experience. However, he was known as one of Portland's most unique and interesting political leaders.
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Bud Clark's Early Life and Career
Bud Clark was born in Nampa, Idaho, on December 19, 1931. His family moved to La Grande, Oregon, and then to Portland when he was six years old. He finished high school at Lincoln High School in 1949.
After high school, he joined the Marines. He also went to college at Vanport College (now Portland State University), Oregon State University, and Reed College. He left college during his third year.
In 1967, Bud Clark opened a tavern called the Goose Hollow Inn. It was in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland. At that time, people were starting to forget the name of this neighborhood. Bud Clark is given credit for helping to keep the Goose Hollow identity alive.
Becoming Mayor of Portland
In 1984, Bud Clark decided to run for mayor. No one else wanted to challenge the current mayor, Frank Ivancie. Clark won the primary election on May 15, 1984, with more than half the votes.
Because he won over 50% in the primary, there was no need for another election in the fall. His name was the only one on the ballot in November. He was officially elected mayor on November 6, 1984. His term as mayor began on January 2, 1985.
What Was Mayor Clark Like?
As mayor, Bud Clark was known for his unique personality. He often rode his bicycle to work. He was also famous for his special shout, "Whoop, Whoop!" His interesting style even led him to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in October 1984.
Mayor Clark's Achievements
When Clark took office, he found that the city's money reserves were low. As mayor, he worked on several important projects:
- He created the 12-Point Homeless Plan, which became well-known across the country. This plan helped people who didn't have homes.
- He supported the growth of public transportation, like the MAX Light Rail line to Gresham, Oregon.
- He helped with the development of downtown Portland.
- He started and led the effort to build the Oregon Convention Center.
Mayor Clark also supported The Mayor's Ball. This was an annual event that raised money for charity. It featured independent musicians from the Pacific Northwest. The Mayor's Ball stopped after the next mayor, Vera Katz, was elected.
Re-election and Later Years
Bud Clark was re-elected as mayor in 1988. He won against 11 other candidates in the primary election. Then, he beat former Chief of Police Ron Still in the main election.
After his 1988 campaign, Clark had some campaign debt. He tried to raise money in 1991, but some fundraising events didn't go as planned.
Clark later retired from public life. He went back to owning his tavern, the Goose Hollow Inn. In 2011, he wrote the introduction for a book about the history of the Goose Hollow neighborhood.
Bud Clark's Personal Life and Legacy
Bud Clark married Sigrid Fehrenbacher in 1964. They had three children together. Sigrid passed away in 2000.
A building in Portland was named after him: the Bud Clark Commons. This building provides apartments for people who have been without a home for a long time. It is located in Old Town Portland and was finished in 2011.
Bud Clark died on February 1, 2022, in Portland. He was 90 years old and passed away from heart problems. He was buried at River View Cemetery.
See also
- List of Reed College people
