Clark Piatt Giles

Beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend and dedicated community volunteer – died peacefully in the comfort of his home on Tuesday May 2, 2023 after a rich and full life. He was born in Salt Lake City on February 1, 1937, to Eleanor Clark Giles and George Eugene Giles. Clark met the love of his life and future wife, Nancy Lipman, while growing up in Salt Lake City. Clark grew up with his older brother Eugene Giles and both graduated from East High School and matriculated to Harvard University, where Clark received an A.B. in 1959 and went on to obtain a J.D. from the Harvard Law School in 1962.

Clark married his lifelong love, Nancy Lipman, in 1968, whereupon they embarked on an active life together, enjoying skiing, boating, golf, tennis, and time with family and friends. In later years, they enjoyed many cruises and time in their second home in St. George. Throughout their lives the couple was deeply engaged in the community, volunteering and contributing generously to countless organizations.

Clark’s professional accomplishments were vast and widely recognized. He joined the law firm of Ray Quinney & Nebeker in 1965 where he remained until formally retiring in 2022. Clark served as the Managing and Financial Director of the firm from 1974 to 1988. He was a preeminent and widely known and respected specialist in estate planning, tax, probate, and trust law, and charitable organizations, and was a trusted counselor to many of the firm’s most significant clients. Clark also rendered significant service to the Bar and to the community at large. He served as chair of the Utah State Bar’s committee to study the Uniform Probate Code prior to its enactment in Utah. He also helped to form the Bar’s Estate Planning and Probate Section and served as its first chair. Clark was a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and served as its chair for a time.

Clark played a significant role in the creation of the David Eccles School of Business and the Natural History Museum of Utah. He was a Trustee of the Holy Cross Hospital Foundation and of the Cathedral of the Madeleine Preservation Fund. He served on numerous community boards, including the Utah Museum of Natural History, Friends of KUED, the U of U College of Fine Arts Advisory Board, the Nature Conservancy of Utah, and others. He also served on the advisory committees of several charitable foundations, including the Ray Quinney & Nebeker Foundation, the S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney Foundation, the Janet Q. Lawson Foundation and the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation.

Clark is survived by his brother Eugene (Inga) and nephews Eric (Sarah) and Edward (Kate) and his sister-in-law Kay Lipman, of Ogden, and nephews and nieces Theresa Lipman Kern (Michael), Allan M. Lipman III (Roberta), Tracy Lipman Eilers (Rich), and David Lipman (Teresa), and numerous great-nephews and nieces. In 2019, he lost his beloved wife, Nancy Lipman Giles. Clancy III, one of many beagles the couple owned during their lives, was Clark’s constant companion to the end, providing him comfort, love and many smiles.

A family internment will take place on May 23, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South, Salt Lake City. Friends and community members are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life on May 23, 2023 at 6:30 PM located at the Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Clark will be sorely missed by his family, colleagues, and the community. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to one of the many organizations that Clark and Nancy generously supported during their lives.