Rev. Dr. Clark S. Aist, former Director of Chaplain Services and Rehabilitation Services at St. Elizabeth's Hospital at DC Department of Behavioral Health died on April 5, 2025 after a long illness.  He was 87 and had lived in Cheltenham and later Timonium, Maryland.

Clark grew up on the family farm in Cheltenham, then known as Aist Brother's Dairy.  Each morning before school he helped his father and brothers milk the herd.  During his teenage years as a member of the Cheltenham United Methodist Church, Clark realized his calling to become a minister.  After graduating as the Valedictorian from Gwynn Park High School, in Brandywine, MD, he attended Asbury College in Wilmore, KY. There, he met the love of his life, Mildred Beatrice Wynn.  They married after graduation in 1959 and enjoyed 64 wonderful years together.

Following college, Clark attended Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.  He became an Ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church in 1962.  While in seminary, he served as the senior pastor of three congregations comprising the New Market Methodist Charge, part of the Baltimore Annual Conference in the United Methodist Church from 1959-1965.

In 1965, Clark began a three-year Chaplain Internship and Residency at St. Elizabeth's Hospital.  During his residency, he realized his calling to serve as a clinical chaplain to persons with mental illness.  At St. Elizabeth's Hospital, he trained under Ernest E. Bruder, one of the pioneer figures in clinical pastoral education.

After completing his residency, Clark became the Training Officer and Deputy Director of Training for Protestant Chaplain Activities at St. Elizabeth's Hospital.  While serving in this position he continued his education at night and received a Master of Sacred Theology in Clinical Pastoral Care and Mental health from Wesley Theological Seminary.  He later received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from American University.  In 1976, Clark became the Director of Chaplain Services, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital following the retirement of Ernest E. Bruder.  In 1983, Chaplain Services was combined with Rehabilitation Services over which he was the Director until retiring in 2004.

Clark came out of retirement twice to assist others in his field.  From 2006-2009, he returned as the Interim Director of Chaplain Services for St. Elizabeth's Hospital following the death of his successor until a new Director could be found.  From 2011-2014, Clark worked for Medstar Washington Hospital Center where he mentored candidates seeking certification to become Clinical Pastoral Educators.

Throughout his career, Clark received many honors and awards.  They include the "Award for Outstanding Contributions to Strengthening Ecumenical Ties In The Field of Pastoral Care and Education" by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (1985); The Anton Boisen T. Boisen Award "For Continuous Creative Ministries To Deeply Troubled People" (1986); and the Oskar Pfister Award by the American Psychiatric Association (2011).

Clark was a devoted husband to wife Beatrice and father to his children: James, Lara, and Eric.  In retirement, Clark and Beatrice took many trips to Germany and throughout the U.S. visiting relatives and friends.  They spent much quality time with their four grandchildren and three step grandchildren.  Clark enjoyed fishing and reading historical novels.  He and his brother, George Aist, also a United Methodist Minister, kept the family farm operating as a hobby for many years raising black angus cattle.

Clark is survived by sons James Aist (Jennifer) and Eric Aist (Debbie); daughter Lara Brown (Ethan); brother George Aist; grandchildren:  Adam Aist, Amanda Aist, Rebecca Brown and Leah Brown; and step grandchildren:  Tawnya Grieve, Bryson Brown, and Elise Brown.  His wife Beatrice died on April 19, 2024.  Another brother, Albert, died on October 28, 2000.  A sister, Frances Irene, died in infancy.

A Memorial Service will be held on July 26, 2025 at the Cheltenham United Methodist Church.