FIFTH OPENING – The Sitka seine boats Hukilau and Rose Lee pump herring aboard this afternoon at the end of Deep Inlet during the fifth opening in the Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery. The opening was being held in two locations beginning at 11 a.m. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
The future of management and operations at the Perform [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
The Queen Bees’ spotless season record ended Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss [ ... ]
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A major renovation at an Alaska museum to attract tourist [ ... ]
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A presentation about a jump in the number of inmate deaths in [ ... ]
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Tribal and environmental advocates calling for a crackdown o [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]
Big Rigs Sought
For April 13
The 3 to 5 Preschool’s spring fundraiser and Big Rig event is happening [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
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By Sentinel Staff
The third opening in this year’s Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery was held Mon [ ... ]
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Sentinel Sports Editor
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Sentinel ports Editor
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Playing in a competitive division City League volleyball game Monday evening [ ... ]
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A bill that passed the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday [ ... ]
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Northern Journal
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Alaska Beacon
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By YERETH ROSEN
Alaska Beacon
In the language of the Gwich’in people of northeastern Alaska, [ ... ]
Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 25
At 7:48 a.m. a calle [ ... ]
Vietnam-Era Vets
Invited to Lunch,
Commemoration
American Legion Post 13 will host a luncheon 1-3 p.m. [ ... ]
By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
The 2024 Sitka Sound sac roe herring fishery got under [ ... ]
By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly will start the annual process of determi [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Competing in the 3A state championship title basketball game Saturday, the M [ ... ]
By Sentinel Staff
Playing through the afternoon Sunday, City League volleyball teams faced off [ ... ]
Daily Sitka Sentinel
Walter Clark Dies in Mont.; Was Blatchley Principal
Walter Clark
Walter Clark, a former principal of Blatchley Middle School, passed away peacefully at his home in Missoula, Montana, on January 20, 2021. He was 79.
He was born in Missoula, Montana, in 1941 to Robert and Ann Clark. He attended both parochial and public school, graduating from Missoula County High School in 1959. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for four years, and making lifelong friendships.
Upon his return, he met and fell in love with Cathy of Whitefish, Montana. They were married in 1966. Walt attended the University of Montana and Northern Montana College, earning both a bachelor’s degree in vo-tech education and a master’s degree in education administration.
Walt dedicated his life to enriching the lives of students in Hardin, Montana, as a teacher of auto mechanics, wood working and welding, and then as a principal in Thompson Falls, Montana; Metlakatla and Sitka, Alaska; and Polson, Montana.
As an educator, he earned numerous awards on both the state and national levels for the programs he implemented at his schools. Among his honors were the Milken Educators Award for the state of Alaska in 1991, while he was Blatchley Middle School principal; and the School Administrator Award issued by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Walt was always up for a challenge, whether in the role of teacher, administrator, dad or grandfather. It could be building or fixing things, helping his children or grandchildren with a school project or any other grand plan that he or they concocted. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and working in the garage.
Mostly, he enjoyed time with his family and he adored all of his grandchildren. Walt made a difference; he made this world a better place. “He is the best man we have ever known,” his family wrote. “We will miss his quick wit and mischievous smile. He was our rock. He is in our hearts and he will forever be our hero.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbara Irlbeck of Wake Forest, North Carolina, who died in the fall of 2020, and by his loyal dog, Tucker.
Survivors include his wife, Cathy, of Missoula; daughters Peggy Reely, Missoula, and Judy and her husband Michael Swiger of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren Evan and Anna Reely and Trystan and Kailey Swiger; sister Janet and her husband Art Davison, Missoula; brother-in-law Bill Irlbeck, of Wake Forest; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will be laid to rest at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held this summe. Anyone wishing to attend, is asked to reach out to family members with contact information. There will be more family memories posted on Garden City Funeral Home’s website.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Matthew C. Hunter of Sitka recently returned from Cuba as part of a St. Olaf College International and Off-Campus Studies program. Hunter, a junior physics major at St. Olaf College, is the son of Robert and Kim Hunter of Sitka.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Eighth graders have returned from a visit to Juneau to see the Legislature. They had worked for it since Christmas vacation ... Clarice Johnson’s idea of a “White Elephant” sales was chosen as the best money-maker; Joe Roth won the political cartoon assignment; highest government test scorers were Ken Armstrong, Joanna Hearn, Linda Montgomery, Lisa Henry, Calvin Taylor and David Licari .....