Tiger Tracks

Clarence Edward Spitzer Jr., formerly of Amherst, NY, died peacefully July 24, 2017 at St. Mary’s Care Center, Madison WI. He was 96 years old.

Clarence was born in 1920 in Clymer, New York, son of Clarence E. Spitzer and Grace Ashdown Spitzer. He was a graduate of Clymer Central School, Allegheny College, and Harvard University, and served in the US Army 1942-1945 in Europe.

Clarence taught high school social studies and history in Shortsville, NY, Marlboro, NY and at Amherst Central High School in Snyder, NY over the course of 35 years. At Amherst, he was faculty advisor for the yearbook for 26 years, and coached students in the Model UN Club. He received a John Hay Fellowship for the 1959 Summer Institute in the Humanities. He received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach high school history in the Netherlands in 1966 and 1967. The year abroad gave Clarence and his family the memorable experience of Dutch life and European travels.

Clarence was a member of the Amherst Education Association, Amherst Retired Teachers Association and Buffalo Stamp Club. He and his wife, Carol, hosted numerous Buffalo World Hospitality visitors and were host parents for an American Field Service student from Japan.

Clarence was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church, Snyder NY. He served as a substitute organist, and sang tenor in the choir for 40 years. He contributed to numerous educational programs and committees, and organized the church archives.

Clarence had a lifetime love for classical music. He played piano and organ and was an avid concert and theater attendee. He rarely missed a season of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Amherst Symphony Orchestra. In later years he played in the Amherst Recorder Consort.

After retirement, Clarence and Carol traveled extensively in Europe, Canada and the United States. He served on the Amherst Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board, and volunteered for the Amherst Chamber Ensemble, the Amherst Central Alumni Foundation, and the Blind Association of Western New York (now the Olmsted Center for Sight).

Clarence is survived by his three children, David (Diane Fulton), Nancy (Tom Tompkin) and Ronald (Eve Battaglia), and a granddaughter, Clare.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 63 years, Carol Schaal Spitzer, and brother Donald J. Spitzer.

Plans for a memorial service in Buffalo, NY are forthcoming. Memorial donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 350 Saratoga Rd. Amherst, NY 14226.

Updated:

A memorial service for Clarence Spitzer will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 30, at Christ United Methodist Church, 350 Saratoga Rd. Amherst, NY 14226.

A lunch reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church in memory of Clarence Spitzer.