Donald Edward Clinkenbeard
The day after his 81st birthday–which he celebrated with friends and family–Donald Edward Clinkenbeard passed away without pain, or suffering, at his home in Springfield, Missouri, on December 12, 2011.
Don was husband to Betty Louise Clinkenbeard (Black); brother-in-law to Cynthia Elaine Lacy; father to Charles Jeffrey Clinkenbeard, Gregory Don Clinkenbeard (Tommy), & Kyaw Tha Hla; brother to George Clinkenbeard (Helen), Marianne Kneipe, Patsy Brashears, & Bill Clinkenbeard (Myrna); “Uncle Don” to Emily & Ian Lacy and Charles & Abby Lacy, and John Lacy (Lisa); and friend to many, many people whose lives he touched.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, December 11, 1930, Don attended Springfield’s Central High School, but only on the days his childhood sweetheart, Betty, also attended. Despite this highly selective take on education, he successfully graduated in Central’s Class of 1950, at which point he went to work as a machinist for the Frisco Railroad.
After her graduation from the St. John’s School of Nursing, Betty relented and married Don in Springfield, on December 2, 1955, for a long and happy fifty-six years of marriage.
Don joined the Naval Reserve in 1947, but a plane accident in 1955 severely injured him, and he was medically retired from the U.S. Navy. Though his injuries created unique obstacles, he never let them stand in his way. As proof of this, Don earned a Masters Degree in Engineering Management from what was then known as The Rolla School of Minds, and the University of Tulsa. He started his own company, Clinkenbeard Engineering, whose clients included Walmart, designing one of the first stores in this area, as well as Springfield’s Wine Centers.
A registered professional engineer, Don was also Manager, Product Laboratories, at Dayco Products, with over 30 years of service, including being the holder of two U.S. Patents. His affable character, keen sense of humor, and technical expertise made him the perfect candidate for Dayco International Division’s projects in Japan, Denmark, Mexico, and West Germany, where he developed a French and German metric European products handbook.
Don served as the Missouri State Chair for the Central Region of the Association of Community College Trustees, serving as a Founding Member of the Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) Board of Trustees until this year, when he retired. From 1998 to 2000 Don was also President of the Board. He felt his work at OTC was especially valuable since it served those who, like him, had not been dealt the easiest hand to play, but nevertheless could find triumph through hard work, integrity, and a commitment to excellence.
An instrument-rated private pilot, in recent years, Don enjoyed RVing, his membership in the Elks, and Twin Oaks, Clubs, attending services at First & Calvary Presbyterian, as well as pampering Daphne—a maltese—who brought much joy into his and Betty’s life.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved father- and mother-in-law, Charles Baxter Black, and Betty Jane Black, and his mother, Edna Wallace Clinkenbeard. Don’s father died when he was just a child. Close friends who will remember him fondly include John & Carole Wiechert, Bud & Ginny Norton, Floyd & Chyanne Barnhill, and Jim & Kathryn Burnett (deceased).
A video tribute to the love between Don and Betty entitled “Clink” can be found at:

Funeral Service:
Greenlawn Funeral Home South
441 W Battlefield Street
Springfield, MO 65807
Phone Number: (417) 881-3000
Date & Time of Service:
Friday, December 16, 2011
12:30pm
Burial Location:
Missouri Veterans Cemetery
Springfield, Greene County, Missouri
5201 South Southwood Rd
Springfield, MO 65804
(417) 823-3944
In lieu of flowers, /donations may be made to:
The OTC Foundation
Ozarks Technical Community College
1001 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 447-2651