Barbara Ann Clark transitioned from this life on April 2, 2025 at Fountainview Assisted Living following a few years of health problems from pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure.

Barbara was born in Kalamazoo on February 22, 1944 to Viator (“John”) and Dorothy (Vose) Clark. She attended Kalamazoo Central High School until transferring to Loy Norrix High School, where she was a member of that new school’s second graduating class. Except for a brief stay in California after high school, Barbara was a life-long resident of the Kalamazoo area. After working in various medical-related positions, she joined the Upjohn Company, where she worked for 27 years in clinical research and then information technology before retiring in 1998.

Barbara was a voracious reader and life-long learner, and she greatly enjoyed the various Kalamazoo College literature classes and seminars that she participated in over the years. She was also a very active member of the Kalamazoo volunteer community for most of her adult life, working for programs that included Planned Parenthood, Court Appointed Special Advocates, YWCA Sexual Assault, Ministry with Community, and the Red Cross. She was a sportswoman too, enjoying bowling, softball, tennis, and golf.

According to Barbara, she was quiet and shy as a child. She made up for that as an adult. With a quick and spot-on wit and impeccable timing, she enlivened every social event in which she participated. Barbara did not suffer fools gladly. One of her little-known contributions to the social consciousness of The Upjohn Company was her firm, and successful, demand for the company to equalize the identification of the company’s sports teams, which had long been labeled as “Men’s” and “Girl’s.” She was also a loyal and trustworthy friend. When asked to describe herself in but a few words, she suggested “Caring, Compassionate, and Sarcastic!”

Barbara met Alida Geppert in 1972 and after a time began sharing her life with her. They held a commitment ceremony in Kalamazoo in 2010 and were subsequently married in Arizona in 2015.

In the last few years of her life, Barbara was dependent on oxygen and had limited mobility and endurance. Alida was a capable and tireless caregiver until Barbara moved to assisted living, for which Barbara was very grateful. Thanks to Alida’s assistance, Barbara was able to continue for some time one of her favorite activities, which was lunching with old friends from the Upjohn days.

Barbara is survived by her spouse, Alida L. Geppert. Also surviving are her sister Lynda (Charles) Roscoe, as well as a niece and nephew and their families. Through work, participation in sports, her extensive travels, and her active volunteer life, Barbara also gained a large and eclectic group of friends, who will miss her.