Tehachapi News

Bird Expert Clark Moore, 1929-2007

The Tehachapi area lost a tremendous friend last week when expert birder and community leader Clark Moore suffered a fatal heart attack on May 19. It is hard for those close to him to imagine our world without his abundant knowledge, bountiful energy, passion for nature and his ability to follow through on projects and get things done.

Clark and his incomparable wife and life partner Jean founded the Tehachapi Mountains Birding Club in 1998 and were responsible for raising local residents’ awareness of the diversity and beauty of local bird species. They also spent thousands of hours in community service, rescuing injured birds, giving presentations to schools and civic groups, conducting bird surveys, aiding California Condor restoration efforts, volunteering at Red Rock Canyon State Park. . . the list goes on and on.

Born on Oct. 20, 1929 in San Jose, Clark became interested in birds at an early age: he began learning all he could about them in the third grade and he even made his own field guide using photos he cut from his parents’ old National Geographic magazines. As a boy, the first bird he ever identified on his own was an Evening Grosbeak.

Clark served in the Army National Guard and did a tour of duty on the hellish battlefields of Korea in 1951 and 52. He was a staff sergeant and a squad leader and he developed leadership and strategy skills he would use the rest of his life.
Clark believed in being fully-prepared, planning in advance, writing down important information and choosing tactics carefully. He was professional in his approach to, well, just about everything. His reasoned, logical approach quickly earned him respect among any who worked with him on a project. His appropriate nickname at the insurance company he and Jean operated was “The Captain.”

The Moores “retired” (only from their jobs, not from life) and moved to Bear Valley Springs in 1989. They loved the location of their new home and had daily visits from California mule deer, bobcats, foxes, gray squirrels and many species of birds.
From their perch in the mountains overlooking Bear Valley, the Moores ventured forth on countless trips, hiking, birding, teaching others about birds, attending bird workshops, conducting Christmas Bird Counts and Turkey Vulture Counts, installing bluebird boxes, teaching Elderhostel and other classes for the College of the Tehachapis, monitoring California Condors, and much more.

Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary (Tenth Edition) describes the word intrepid as meaning “characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude and endurance.” Few humans actually personify this term, but it’s a good adjective for the life of Clark Moore, who accepted responsibility cheerfully but with serious intent. If Clark agreed to undertake a task, that meant he intended to see it through to completion.
This is a rare and vital quality when it comes to volunteer work, especially when working with wildlife. It’s one thing to take your job seriously, because you’re being paid, or your family duties, because those ARE your responsibilities.

But helping an injured Golden Eagle or a starving Barn Owl fledgling or conducting a bird count are not really anyone’s responsibility except by choice, and Clark made those choices again and again. And was true to the commitments  he made.
I  have looked to Clark Moore as a mentor and friend for many years. He and Jean are among my parents’ dearest friends in Tehachapi so they have been like an aunt and uncle to my brother George and me — only closer because of the shared interests and love of these mountains. When my brother speaks of Clark’s “crisp vast intellect” it is based on many conversations and consultations over the years that provided ample evidence of the man’s first-rate mind.

Clark’s willingness to answer all manner of birding questions from the general public, as well as his gentle way of inquiring about questionable or even obviously erroneous bird identifications was a testament to his good nature. It’s so hard for me to believe that I won’t hear his steady voice say “Mmm, Good Evening” when I dial the Moores’ familiar phone number.

A soldier to the end, Clark was tough and unafraid even on his last day. He had underwent successful heart bypass surgery 18 years ago and he was not surprised to be experiencing chest pain. “I knew this would happen again, but I thought I might have another year,” he told Jean on Wednesday. As he climbed onto the gurney, he also apologized to her for having the heart attack on her birthday.
So Clark Moore left this life triumphantly, a man widely admired, respected, trusted and loved, who lived a long and productive life. For 56 years he had the incredible good fortune to have Jean as his wife and best friend (it had to be luck — what man can say they actually deserve to have a partner like Jean?).

Those wishing to honor Clark Moore and all that he did for the people and animals of this area can make a contribution  to the California Area Living Museum (CALM), 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, CA, 93306. All funds received in his name will go towards development of a rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Those of us who knew and loved Clark will try to continue the good works, high standards and good example he set for his Tehachapi neighbors.
Thanks for everything, Captain.

Have a good week.