Charlie Clark, Arlington's 'Favorite Historian,' Dies At 70

ARLINGTON, VA — Charlie Clark, an author, historian and journalist who wrote the weekly “Our Man in Arlington” column for the Falls Church News-Press, died on Nov. 15 after a short illness. He was 70.

Clark’s latest book, “Life and Times of the Falls Church News-Press,” had just been published when he was struck by a rare neurological disorder that quickly took his life.

After a week at Virginia Hospital Center, he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. He spent the last days of his life at his Arlington home with his wife and children, the Falls Church-News Press reported.

“Arlington has lost its greatest historian of all time, an author, teacher and best storyteller I’ve ever known,” Del. Patrick Hope told the News-Press.

Clark, a native of Arlington, was the author of many books, including “Hidden History of Arlington County,” “Lost Arlington County” and “Arlington County Chronicles.”

“Charlie Clark has proven once again that he is the dean of Arlington’s popular historians and a true raconteur,” Frank O’Leary, Arlington County’s former treasurer, wrote in the introduction to Clark’s book “Lost Arlington County.”

In the introduction to the same book, Hope described Clark as "Arlington's favorite historian."

In 2019, Clark retired as senior correspondent from the Government Executive Media Group. He had worked previously for The Washington Post, Congressional Quarterly, National Journal and Time Life books.

Clark attended Yorktown High School, where he graduated in 1971. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2018 for his professional success and for serving as the unofficial chronicler of the high school’s history, the Gazette-Leader reported.

"The Arlington Historical Society is greatly saddened by the passing of Charlie Clark, everyone’s 'Man in Arlington' who we were proud to have as a member of our Board of Directors," the Arlington Historical Society said in a statement. "We will all miss Charlie’s wit, his detailed knowledge of Arlington, and his ability to bring that knowledge to life in his writings and presentations."

Information on a memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to a local charity of choice.