It is with regret that I announce that our friend Clark Dothager aka Viking7753@aol aka cdvike@mindspring.com has passed away. I just called his mom's house and was told that Clark died of a heart attack on the Fourth of July weekend sometime. I knew that he had some health problems but when I hadn't heard from him in a while, I'd hoped he had just gotten the itch to wander around the world again.

My favorite memories of Clark are his well thought out and often funny responses on AOL to other team's fans bashing of our beloved Vikes. Often when he would respond to those fans, my first thought was "I wish I had said that." He was always courteous in response and never resorted to bashing or belittling the poster.

When the name calling got to be too much, Clark was one of the ones who went out and found other internet homes, just like this one, for Viking fans to talk civilly about the Purple.

I had the honor to actually meet Clark in person last year in Las Vegas and I know several other people like Jan Zumbo and Eddie (Vikes5512) had met him in person as well. I know that they will agree that he was as courteous and friendly in person as on the web.

Clark was raised in Iowa and picked up the purple fever there. He was in the casino business for a long time and retired from that a few years ago to sit at the beach and catch some rays. For a short time he lived in Costa Rica and then returned to Pensacola, Florida to be near his family. Clark was in his late 40's when he passed away around Independence Day.

-- Bruce (sixxking@aol.com), October 16, 2001

Answers

R.I.P.

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), October 16, 2001.

I remember him also from his postings. GOD BLESS YOU Clark and RIP!!!

-- Tom (BMatheus@aol.com), October 16, 2001.