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Clarence (Clancy) William Houghton was born in Walpole, NH to Dr. Charles and Dorothy (Morgan) Houghton.
He always felt that Walpole was a wonderful place in which to grow up. He told exciting tales of boyish adventures, such as starting a minor brush fire by trying to hollow out a canoe from a log with a friend. Clancy's early school years were spent in The Walpole Academy building until the new school and Hubbard Gymnasium were built. He played center for the school's basketball team and graduated in 1953, leaving right after to enroll at the University of Southern California. His studies there were interrupted after a year due to his father's stroke. The free education with the G.I. Bill looked good at this time and Clancy joined the Air Force. He married Ritva Pajunen, his high school sweetheart, at this point and was off to a new adventure.
His four years in the Air Force were spent as an enlisted man, but that did not keep his superiors from noticing Clancy's exceptional ability and work ethic when they needed a new budget officer. The Air Force also gave him two almost free babies; daughter Wendy was born in Texas during her father's training there at the accounting school. Son Bill was born in England.
Back in civilian life, Clancy enrolled at the University of California in Berkeley, majoring in Business Administration with emphasis on accounting, graduating with honors in the winter of 1960. Next came two years at Harvard Business School, graduating with a degree in Accounting and Finance. During the summer between Cal and Harvard, Clancy had worked in the accounting firm of Haskins and Sells, (now Deloitte) and now rejoined them. He advanced rapidly in the firm, and became a partner at the youngest age in the firm's history at the time. He retired as the Partner in Charge of the firm's San Francisco and Northern California office. The long hours at work still left Clancy just enough time to develop an interest in golf and, after retirement and moving back to Walpole 1985, one could often find him at his beloved Hooper course.
Missing his presence are his wife Ritva, brother Charles Houghton of Roanoke, VA, daughters Wendy Archibald of Portland, OR, and Nina Bowman of Lodi, CA, and son Clarence W. (Bill) Houghton of Diablo, CA; seven grandchildren, including Dr. Peter Bowman of Walpole, six great grandchildren and several beloved cousins. Clancy packed lots of living into his years and that included being a very loving and wise father and grandfather and great-grandfather. He taught his family to appreciate small moments in life, "Isn't it wonderful!"
Internment will be private . There will be a celebration of Clancy's life in the summer.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-601 or the Scholarship Fund at the Haas Business School at the University of California, Berkeley would be greatly appreciated.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Foley Funeral Home.
6 Entries
April 26, 2017
We arrived in Walpole slightly ahead of the Andersons and were introduced by them to a bunch of hikers who jokingly called themselves "The Walpole Appalachian Where the Hell's the Trail Walking Club".
We have so many memories of and with Clancy, our fearless leader and anchor. Walking sometimes three times a week and then working out at gym twice a week (he called our sub group the gym rats) we shared time with him almost every day of the week.
On our trip to Scotland he helped me find a shop that sold a special kind of soap. I was ready to give up searching but he persisted until we stumbled upon it. Some in our group explored Elgin Cathedral ruin and there is a photo of him in the graveyard peeking out behind an ancient grave stone. He was always ready to have fun, even while bushwhacking through the forest undergrowth and never failing to get us back on the trail.
Then there were the birthday parties and other celebrations. His and Rit's generosity is without equal.
We have and will always miss him.
Anita Brockmann and
Dana Hemenway, Walpole NH
April 26, 2017
Anita Brockmann
April 26, 2017
Anita Brockmann
April 25, 2017
Ritva and Family
Clancy always loved Walpole and was so happy to be living back here. We can still hear his laughter across the pond. He will be missed by many.
Sincerely John & Linda Burrows
April 25, 2017
Tom Murphy
Clancy was one of the most engaging, warm and intelligent people you could hope to meet. He greeted everyone with a huge smile and made you feel he was totally delighted to see you again. Of course, there was that distinctive laugh that you could tell was Clancy's even from a great distance. Clancy will always hold a special place in my heart. My condolences to his family and to all of us who were his friends and partners.
April 24, 2017
Louise&Bob Anderson
We arrived in Walpole not knowing a single person and Clancy was the reason a network of friends was formed. These friends welcomed us into their virtual home and Clancy was the cornerstone that made it all possible.
His personality allowed us to meet people while walking everywhere in Walpole. He made it possible to cross fields and streams, to sit on the porch of a backwoods cabin or stroll amongst the cows and feel comfortable. We learned that if we encountered someone (or a lot of cows) along the way that Clancy would know them or be able to connect with them such that we would not be seen as intruders but guests. He had a story from his youth for every location and some background information for every person.
Sharing was at his core. If you did not like to fish, he would invite you to try his style of fishing which included a scotch, numerous stories, a fishing pole and his backyard pond. He shared his time and his wine without any limits.
Murray's was a regular stop after walks and his generosity included picking up the tab for breakfast. We all had to move quickly to take our turn paying the tab. He taught us to emulate his sharing philosophy.
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