Searsport - SEARSPORT - Clark Nichols, a long-time resident of Searsport, Maine, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Sunday, August 4, 2013. Clark was born in Searsport on August 9, 1914. He graduated from MIT with a BS and MS in electrical engineering in 1935.

Upon graduation, Clark started his 41 year career with Leeds and Northrup Co. in Philadelphia, a designer and manufacturer of electrical power control equipment for utility companies. He quickly became a nationally recognized expert in this field, later receiving awards from the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. During WWII he worked with many of the power plants and hydroelectric dams in the mid-south to supply power to the plants manufacturing aircraft and weapons, including the Oak Ridge facility working on the atom bomb. Later he led a team that developed one of the first computers, "The Early Bird", used by numerous utilities to greatly improve power control. He served on a commission investigating the widespread blackout in the northeast in 1965.

Clark retired in 1976 and returned to Searsport. Inheriting a love of the sea and history from his sea captain grandfathers, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Penobscot Marine Museum for 34 years, including terms as president and treasurer. Clark also served as treasurer of the First Congregational Church. Accordingly, Gov. Angus King added him to the Maine Honor Roll of Volunteerism.

For many years until he was 89, Clark sailed the waters of Penobscot Bay in his H-28 ketch. His love of sailing remained a major part of his life.

Clark was most proud of his early job title of "field engineer", the one who goes out and "gets it done". He was always positive and considered himself the luckiest guy on earth. All would characterize him as a most gracious gentleman.

Clark was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Eleanor B. Nichols, who died in 1995, and his 2nd wife of 13 years, Barbara S. Nichols, who died in 2009. Clark is survived by three sons; Daniel and his wife Susan, Theodore and his wife Joyce, Andrew and his stepdaughter, Janet Beck and her husband Larry. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Elizabeth Coleman and her husband Thomas, Jennifer Kelly and her husband Christopher, Katherine, Jeffrey and Steven and two great grandchildren: Daniel and Mason. He is also survived by two stepgrandchildren, Kevin Beck and Kylee Maston and her husband Steve and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Ava and Noah.

A memorial service for Clark will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at the First Congregational Church of Searsport. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Clark's memory to the First Congregational Church (PO Box 261) and/or the Penobscot Marine Museum (PO Box 498). Arrangements are under the direction of Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services 31 West Main Street Searsport, ME. www.mitchelltweedie-young.com.