Celebrating the Life of S. Clark Butler (Eulogy)- November 5, 2008
Good Morning!
I have been listening to the economic news these past few weeks and worrying about the recession. My thoughts have turned to Clark. I am wondering how he would have handled these difficult times.
Here was a man who started his first business, a fruit stand, at age 19. He spent the next six decades building a property and development empire, coming out ahead in good times and bad alike.
His success makes me feel better right now.
Clark was a huge believer in free enterprise and entrepreneurship. He would not have been daunted by this economic downturn. He would have put on his trademark coat and tie, work his usual six-day week, and set out to have an even better year than the one before.
I hope we at UF can follow his example.
Clark never attended the University of Florida - he was too busy building his business. But he had an abiding love for this university and our ability to give students the power for success that came so naturally to him. He gave us a lot of help in that direction. The businesses of his Butler Plaza have paid the tuition and bills for untold numbers of college students.
As Roy mentioned, at UF, Clark established the Clark Butler Endowment, which supports the UF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the annual S. Clark Butler Entrepreneurship Awards. If you needed a job at Publix to get through school or were building a successful business in town, Clark wasn't going to carry you, but he would out his arm around you and help you.
Clark transformed Gainesville, but when he died at age 89, his work wasn't finished.
Clark and his daughter and business partner, Deborah, gave $1 million to support the University of Florida Cancer Hospital, which is in the final stages of completion on Archer Road.
When Clark and Deborah made that donation in 2005, he said it was because of the care he had received at Shands for cancer.
I want to read you Clark's exact words because they capture who he was and what he stood for. He said, and I quote, "As a result of excellent treatment, I have recovered and have been able to work full time for the last nine years."
This is a difficult time for Deborah and everyone in the Butler family. Chris and I offer our heartfelt condolences for your loss. But I know that you will always carry with you Clark's love, determination, focus, faith and optimism. He has left you, and all who knew him, with rare and useful gifts.
Thank you.
Bernie Machen