Clark “Pooch” William Catlin

Clark “Pooch” William Catlin, 102, of Walnut Creek, Calif., died peacefully at his home in Rossmoor on Oct. 9, 2026.

Clark was born on May 4, 1924, in the small rural township of Loyal to Vivian “Beansie” Lavon Bassett and Haskell “Bub” Ellwood Catlin. He earned his childhood nickname, “Pooch,” by following his father everywhere, including on Standard Oil diesel deliveries. The small 210 Main Street home accommodated Clark and his four siblings: Eleanor “Spinks” (Engevold), Gwendolyn “Pidy” (Bruckert), Melva “Auntie Mel” (Guzman), and younger brother Franklin “Toby.”

Clark attended Loyal High School from 1939 to 1942, where he was a popular student who served on the student council and played basketball. Like many of his classmates, he enlisted in the military after graduating.

Clark served more than 30 years in the Navy and Reserves as a hospital corpsman during World War II and the Korean War. While stationed at the Naval Hospital in Long Beach, Calif., he married Navy Lieutenant Leona “Mary” Teel in 1946. He became a chief hospital corpsman and served aboard numerous ships and Navy hospitals, but he was especially proud of his time aboard the submarines USS Bowfin, USS Volador, and USS Tunny.

After retiring from the Navy, Clark married Marcia McArthur Lee in 1962. They had two daughters, Barbara and Joan Catlin, and lived in Pacheco, Calif., near his new job as head of the laboratory at Martinez County Hospital.

In 1975, Clark married Janet Benson and became stepfather to her two children, Kristin and Dana Benson. They lived in Danville, Calif., until Clark retired in 1981, when they moved to their beloved “Mountain Ranch” home in the Sierra, Nev., foothills. They spent their retirement years happily cutting and clearing wood on their 23 acres, planting vegetable gardens, tending their chickens and goats, and working the land. They also enjoyed their Anchor Bay coastal home, taking long walks on the beach and shooting pool in their upstairs loft. Clark and Janet moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek in 2015, where they enjoyed making new friends at First Friday gatherings and his weekly pool games.

Clark will be remembered for his sense of humor, his ability to fix or make just about anything, his dedication to the Navy, his love of country, his distaste for shopping, and his nightly glass or three of Carlo Rossi jug wine.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Janet; his brother, Frank Catlin; his daughters; his stepchildren; his grandchildren; and the many friends and extended family who celebrate a life well-lived.

The family will be holding a celebration of life in Walnut Creek, Calif., in the near future. PAID OBITUARY 190344