Clark Edward Lovrien

LIEUTENANT COLONEL CLARK EDWARD “C.E.” LOVRIEN, JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Clark Edward Lovrien, Jr. was born on November 1, 1937, in Mason City, Iowa. Raised in the Midwest, he graduated from Riverside High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1955. In July 1955, Clark answered the call to join the United States Air Force Academy as a member of its historic original class—the pioneering group of cadets who established the traditions and legacy of the USAFA. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 03, he completed four years of rigorous academic and military preparation before graduating in 1959 and receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

MILITARY FLYING & COMBAT OPERATIONS

Following graduation, Clark entered basic pilot training at Moore Air Base and Webb Air Force Base (1959–1960). Recognizing a specialized aptitude for rotary-wing aircraft, he proceeded to Stead Air Force Base for helicopter training (1960–1961).

Clark was assigned to the 59th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. He served at Goodfellow from 1961 to 1965, flying essential recon missions and maintaining operational readiness.

In 1965, Clark deployed to South Vietnam, serving as a helicopter combat pilot with the 20th Helicopter Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Operating under intense combat conditions throughout 1965 and 1966, his courage and skill under fire earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.


TEST PILOT & FLIGHT EVALUATION

Following his combat tour in Vietnam, Clark was selected for advanced flight test evaluation. In 1967, he attended the elite United States Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, graduating in 1968.

For the next six years, Clark served as an Air Force test pilot specializing in Vertical and Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft:

• 6510th Flight Test Wing (Edwards AFB, CA, 1968–1972): Evaluated experimental V/STOL aircraft and flight dynamics.
• 6511th Test Group (NAF El Centro, CA, 1972–1974): Served as Chief of the Operations Branch and as a qualified Test Parachutist, conducting crucial parachuting and flight test evaluations.

In 1974, Clark transitioned to the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, working within the Test Management Airlift Division. While stationed in New Mexico, he pursued post-graduate studies and earned his Master of Arts degree from New Mexico Highlands University in 1975. He completed his final five years of active-duty service at AFOTEC before retiring from the Air Force in 1979 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

FAMILY, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, AND RETIREMENT

While stationed at Goodfellow AFB, Clark met Reba Foster. They were married on December 28, 1961, beginning a 53-year partnership. Together they raised four children—Skip, Betsy, Robert, and Christopher.

After retiring from active military duty, Clark and Reba became entrepreneurs in Albuquerque, New Mexico, owning and operating Clark's Springtime, Inc. for 28 years (1979–2009). They turned the business over to their son and fully sold it in 2003. In 1998, they sold their home to pursue a long-held dream of traveling full-time across the United States in their motor home.

Clark was deeply dedicated to community service:
• Rotary International: Invited to join the Rotary Club of Albuquerque in 1982, he served as Club President (1989–1990), District Governor of Rotary International District 5520 (1993–1994), and later as a member of the Rotary E-Club of the Southwest.
• Faith & Fellowship: He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Tijeras.

After a year-long battle with cancer, Lieutenant Colonel Clark Edward Lovrien, Jr. passed away on May 3, 2015, surrounded by family. He was survived by his wife, Reba; four children and their spouses; nine grandchildren; and two sisters. He was laid to rest at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery.

EDUCATION

High School Diploma Riverside High School (Milwaukee, WI) 1955
Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy 1959
Graduate U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (Patuxent River, MD) 1968
Master of Arts New Mexico Highlands University 1975

MEDALS AND AWARDS


Distinguished Flying Cross 1
Air Medal 21
Air Force Commendation Medal 1

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Role Location / Unit
1959–1960 Pilot Training Student Moore Air Base, TX / Webb AFB, TX
1960–1961 Helicopter Training Student Stead AFB, NV
1961–1965 Pilot 59th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Goodfellow AFB, TX
1965–1966 Combat Helicopter Pilot 20th Helicopter Squadron, Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1967–1968 Test Pilot School Student U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, MD
1968–1972 V/STOL Test Pilot 6510th Flight Test Wing, Edwards AFB, CA
1972–1974 V/STOL Test Pilot / Chief, Operations Branch / Test Parachutist 6511th Test Group, NAF El Centro, CA
1974–1979 Test Management, Airlift Division / Test Pilot AFOTEC, Kirtland AFB, NM