L. Marvin Clark, M.D.

Dr. L. Marvin Clark, age 93, a beloved husband, loving father, and caring physician, passed away in June 2025 in Washington, D.C., surrounded by family, to be with the Lord. He resided in Maryland with his wife, Sandy.

L. Marvin Clark was born in 1932, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, to Lawrence and Laura Clark.

Marvin graduated from Clarion Area High School in 1950. Grove City College awarded him a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1953. In 1957, he completed his Doctor of Medicine degree at Temple University School of Medicine, followed by an internship at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh and a general surgical residency at Akron General Hospital in Akron, Ohio, and Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

In 1960, Marvin married Sandra (Sandy) Marshall. She was the granddaughter of Lloyd and Ethel Marshall of Clarion. Having received her M.D. degree, Sandra joined him in medical practice in 1969 after three of their four children were born. They were married for 65 years.

Marvin proudly served his country as a medical officer (LTMC) in the United States Navy aboard numerous military transport ships, traveling to and from Europe and Asia from 1958 to 1960. Marvin and Sandy operated a private medical practice in the Clarion-Brookville area. Throughout his years of private practice as a surgeon, Marvin was known for his passion, his attentive, life-saving care for his many thousands of patients, and his kindness to those in need. Marvin dedicated himself to civic duties as well. While practicing in Clarion, he served as president of the Clarion County Medical Society, assistant college health physician, member of the American Cancer Society, and the Tri-County Public Health Board. He was elected to the Clarion Borough Council.

Beginning in 1983, Marvin and Sandy undertook numerous international medical assignments, including those in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, and Indonesia. One of Marvin and Sandy's major accomplishments was the design and implementation of a malaria control and public health project in Papua, Indonesia (on the island of New Guinea), which covered 1,000 square miles of jungle and significantly improved the lives of over 50,000 indigenous people. During these adventures, Marvin and Sandy relocated to Tucson and later to Green Valley, Arizona.

A humanitarian at heart, Marvin dedicated many years of his life to volunteer medical missions, including the Embudo Presbyterian Hospital in New Mexico, the Presbyterian Hospital in remote Metu, Ethiopia, combating sleeping sickness in war-torn South Sudan with the International Medical Corps, and HIV prevention efforts in the eastern Indonesian islands.

Marvin had an adventurous spirit and enthusiasm for travel, taking him to all 50 states, all seven continents, and over 50 countries. Marvin loved hiking, whether enjoying the trails of Cook's Forest or climbing Africa's tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. He had a passion for railroads and history and had an encyclopedic knowledge of many such topics. Marvin was adored by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They loved it when he would play the piano. He was naturally gifted musically and could play any song he had learned without sheet music. He had a great sense of humor and everyone enjoyed his tales of his many adventures.

Marvin was most proud of his family. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, and his four children and their spouses: Lynn (Jim) of Pennsylvania, Mark (Setyowati), Laurie (Brian) of Wisconsin, and Scott (Jean) of California. Marvin and Sandra are blessed with seventeen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Marvin's parents and two sisters, Mary and Martha, preceded him in death.

Marvin was baptized and married in the First Presbyterian Church of Clarion. Years later, on his return to practice in Clarion, he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. In Green Valley, Arizona, Marvin attended the Valley Presbyterian Church, and upon moving to Maryland, he joined the Patuxent Presbyterian Church. He believed in the resurrection and Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

Marvin's family will hold a public memorial service on Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Clarion, followed by a luncheon. The family requests consideration of memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church of Clarion organ fund, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Operation Smile.

Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home & Crematory, 330 Wood St, Clarion. Friends and family may send online condolences, order flowers and memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.