Robert Brooke Clements

Oct. 10, 1934 - July 11, 2017

SOUTH BEND - Robert Brooke Clements, Ph.D., devoted husband of fifty-nine years to his high school sweetheart, Nancy Margaret Babcock Clements, died unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.  A life-long resident of South Bend, Indiana, Dr. Clements was born October 10, 1934 to Walter and Loretta Clements.  After graduating from Central High School, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in History, French, and German, at his cherished alma mater, St. John's University in Collegeville, MN. He went on to obtain master's and doctorate degrees in history from the University of Notre Dame.

A humble, purposeful, and religious man, Robert Clements found great joy and meaning through his 52 year teaching career at three secondary schools in South Bend: Central, Brown, and Riley. He complemented his career with the South Bend Schools by teaching history at Indiana University South Bend for many years.  He also created correspondence courses for Indiana University's distance education program.

Dr. Clements made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people through his example and his teaching.

Robert and Nancy raised their large loving family in the home on Park Avenue where Robert was raised. He was preceded in death by two daughters, Loretta Angela and Susan Marie.  He is survived by his wife, Nancy, six children and their spouses:  Brooke and Juanita Clements of Vancouver, Canada; Walter and Linda Clements of Lakeside, MI; Edward Clements of Indianapolis, IN; Margaret Clements and Jerry Horner of Bloomington, IN; Nancy and Paul Browning of Rockville, MD; Catherine Clements and Jay Barbus of Indianapolis, IN; as well as ten grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for your prayers and memorial contributions to the Susan Clements Memorial Fellowship through the Indiana University Foundation Account #0370004643 or to the Susan Clements Fund in the Program of Liberal Studies at the University of Notre Dame. 

The Clements family will honor Robert's life at a memorial mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in South Bend on August 12 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a reception. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.

Weblink to an article written about Robert Clements in the South Bend Tribune in 2008: http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2008-05-09/news/26844031_1_golden-apple-teacher-burnout-teaching-students

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jul. 16, 2017.

01/04/2023