Robert F. Clinkscale
August 15th 1931 - January 25th 2024
Robert F. "Bob" Clinkscale, an esteemed reporter and television anchorman for decades in the Boston area, died peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was 92 and died from complications of Alzheimer's.
Clinkscale carved out an amazing American success story, rising from a challenging childhood in Dorchester, MA during the depression to become an iconic broadcaster, beloved college instructor, wonderful family man, and great friend.
Clinkscale began his broadcast career in 1959 after serving honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard. Early in his career, he was a disc jockey, writer, and reporter at multiple radio stations as he built his career in Vermont and Massachusetts. Clinkscale moved to TV in Boston in the 1960s at WBZ and WLVI.
He became a regular TV anchor at WCVB in 1972, part of the Eyeopener News, one of the nation's first early morning daily newscasts. He held that position for about a decade, while at the same time beginning his teaching career on the adjunct faculty at Emerson College. He instructed students in Broadcast Journalism and Voice Articulation for 35 years. He retired at age 80. Part of his legacy is the Robert F. Clinkscale Journalistic Integrity Award that is given each year to a standout Emerson Student and the Emerson College RTNDA Life Time Achievement Award for endless dedication to excellence in journalism.
Clinkscale was strong in his Christian faith, an active member of the Chapel of the Cross in Westboro, MA, and in the Converge Northeast Conference, and served as chairman of the board. He spoke at many churches in New England, and in the 1980s led chapel services for the Boston Red Sox. Having multiple children and grandchildren involved in Christian ministry, Clinkscale's faith legacy will continue for generations to come.
His life's journey was shared with his beloved Mary (Guest), with whom he raised a rambunctious family of four sons and two daughters. He loved family activities, was an avid sports fan, he was a baseball coach for his children, grandchildren, and the community until his seventies, and he was a voracious reader. The phrase "force of nature" might well have been invented for Bob, whose enthusiasm for life was contagious.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Mary, six loving children, Danny, Jim, Kathy, John, Tom, and Colleen, 16 adoring grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren and his sister, Kathy Tomlinson and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Friday, February 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the McCarthy, McKinney, and Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln Street in Framingham MA. Funeral Services are Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00 AM at Chapel of the Cross, 160 Flanders, Rd. Westborough, MA 01581. A military burial with honors will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, February 5th at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA with a reception to follow at The Chapel Downtown, Winchendon, MA. 286 Central St. 01475.
Clinkscale carved out an amazing American success story, rising from a challenging childhood in Dorchester, MA during the depression to become an iconic broadcaster, beloved college instructor, wonderful family man, and great friend.
Clinkscale began his broadcast career in 1959 after serving honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard. Early in his career, he was a disc jockey, writer, and reporter at multiple radio stations as he built his career in Vermont and Massachusetts. Clinkscale moved to TV in Boston in the 1960s at WBZ and WLVI.
He became a regular TV anchor at WCVB in 1972, part of the Eyeopener News, one of the nation's first early morning daily newscasts. He held that position for about a decade, while at the same time beginning his teaching career on the adjunct faculty at Emerson College. He instructed students in Broadcast Journalism and Voice Articulation for 35 years. He retired at age 80. Part of his legacy is the Robert F. Clinkscale Journalistic Integrity Award that is given each year to a standout Emerson Student and the Emerson College RTNDA Life Time Achievement Award for endless dedication to excellence in journalism.
Clinkscale was strong in his Christian faith, an active member of the Chapel of the Cross in Westboro, MA, and in the Converge Northeast Conference, and served as chairman of the board. He spoke at many churches in New England, and in the 1980s led chapel services for the Boston Red Sox. Having multiple children and grandchildren involved in Christian ministry, Clinkscale's faith legacy will continue for generations to come.
His life's journey was shared with his beloved Mary (Guest), with whom he raised a rambunctious family of four sons and two daughters. He loved family activities, was an avid sports fan, he was a baseball coach for his children, grandchildren, and the community until his seventies, and he was a voracious reader. The phrase "force of nature" might well have been invented for Bob, whose enthusiasm for life was contagious.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Mary, six loving children, Danny, Jim, Kathy, John, Tom, and Colleen, 16 adoring grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren and his sister, Kathy Tomlinson and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Friday, February 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the McCarthy, McKinney, and Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln Street in Framingham MA. Funeral Services are Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00 AM at Chapel of the Cross, 160 Flanders, Rd. Westborough, MA 01581. A military burial with honors will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, February 5th at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon, MA with a reception to follow at The Chapel Downtown, Winchendon, MA. 286 Central St. 01475.
Visitation: Fri 2 Feb 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Funeral Service: Sat 3 Feb 10:00 am
Interment: Mon 5 Feb 10:00 am
