OTC Founding Trustee Don Clinkenbeard passes away

Founding member of the Ozarks Technical Community College Board of Trustees Don Clinkenbeard has passed away at the age of 81.  Clinkenbeard served as president of the OTC Board of Trustees from 1998-2000, and again from 2006-2008.  He retired from the Board in October, citing ongoing health issues.

“Mr. Clinkenbeard has been a part of OTC since its inception,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College.  “We are sad to have lost such a vital member of the OTC family, and we are thankful for his many years of service to the College.”

A registered professional engineer with degrees from University of Tulsa and University of Missouri-Rolla, Clinkenbeard retired from Dayco Products (now Carlisle Power Transmission) after 30 years as a product laboratories manager.  He holds two U.S. Patents, and has worked with companies in Japan, Denmark, Mexico, and West Germany to develop products.  He served as the Missouri State Chair for the Central Region of the Association of Community College Trustees, in the Missouri Professional Engineers Society, and the Inventor’s Club with Dayco Products, Inc. 

“From the beginning, Mr. Clinkenbeard has been dedicated to making OTC the best institution it could be,” said current Board President J. Howard Fisk.  “He believed in what OTC does, and he worked to ensure we never lost sight of our mission.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the OTC Foundation, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO, 65802.  The OTC Foundation can also be found online at foundation.otc.edu, or by calling (417) 447-2651.