RIT mourns the loss of Katherine Clark
RIT mourns the loss of Katherine (Leitch) Clark, executive director of Sponsored Research Services. She died April 3, at the age of 59, after a short battle with cancer. The RIT flag is lowered to half-staff today in her memory.
Clark was a devoted and treasured part of the RIT community for more than 40 years. She graduated from RIT and spent her career fundamentally contributing to the thriving and robust research landscape at the university.
Clark had a major role in developing the processes, procedures, and support services that allowed RIT to make the transition from a regional undergraduate teaching-focused institution to a national research university. She was highly respected and loved by her staff, as well as members throughout the RIT community.
Outside of work, she found joy in traveling, gardening, puzzles, knitting, and spending time with her cats. She was a longtime gamer, Lego builder, and fan of anything Tolkien. She was lucky enough to take a trip with her husband to eight national parks just before her diagnosis.
The RIT flag will be lowered today, April 10, in her honor. A memorial service will be held at RIT’s Schmitt Interfaith Center at a later date. For service information, to share a memory, or to send the family a condolence, go to the Rochester Cremation website.