NERI A. CLARK NEW HAVEN- Dr. Neri Anthony Clark, 88, of Halpin Rd., died Monday, August 21, 2006 at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Middlebury following a period of failing health. Born April 19, 1918 in New Haven, CT, he was the son of the late Clayton H. and Mary Agnes (Morrissey) Clark. He initially lived in New Haven, CT and in later teen years in East Hampton. During his youth he was instrumental in the formation of a Boy Scout Troop in East Hampton at the Cavanaugh Farm. After graduation from Middletown High School he was employed by N.N. Hills, and later at Star Net Co. While employed at Stars he answered an advertisement for the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he accepted a position as Special Employee with the FBI fingerprint section. While employed by the FBI he and his family moved to Maryland. During WWII he served in the United States Navy. He met Ruth Yost whom he married October 15, 1943. In 1946 while working for the FBI on a missing person case, he was instrumental in helping form the Vermont State Police. Mr. Clark registered for classes at the University of Maryland, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy. In 1958 Neri graduated with his PhD and was hired as part of the teaching staff in the Agronomy Department. During his tenure there Dr. Clark was also employed part-time by Arthur D. Little Consulting Company. He traveled extensively to many third world countries advising on better ways to grow crops for the masses. He created a world crops course at the University of MD based on his travels which became well known in the agricultural community. . In 1972 he and his wife purchased a farm in New Haven where they retired in 1978. He enjoyed all aspects of his retirement from raising horses, oxen and gardens. He was one of the directors for Fair and Field Days. He volunteered for several years showing slides of his extensive word travels at Project Independence. Family members include his daughter, Janice L. Neilson of New Haven; one sister, Mary Teresa (Clark) Smith and her husband LCDR Hugh M. Smith, USN Ret. Of Shepardstown, WV; one sister-in-law, Eileen Clark of Vero Beach, FL; one grandson, Daniel S. Nielson of New Haven; one great granddaughter, Elizabeth Nielson and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his wife, Ruth (Yost) Clark who died November 17, 1999; brothers, William and Xavier F. Clark; two nieces, Marguerite (Clark) Raslack and Nancy Smith. Calling hours will be Wednesday August 23, 2006 from 6-8 PM at Sanderson Funeral Service, 117 South Main St. Middlebury. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11:30 AM at St. Mary Assumption Church, Middlebury with Rev. Justin Baker as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Middlebury. The family request memorial donations be made to Addison Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 or to Project Independence, P.O. Box 581 Middlebury, VT 05753. Please go to www.sandersonfuneralservice.com to view the online obituary.