Clarence Howard Bloomster Junior Clem was born on September 13, 1930 to Clarence Howard Bloomster Senior and Dorothy Wilson in Superior, Wisconsin and grew up in Ferndale, Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan and the University of Idaho, obtaining a degree in Metallurgy and then joined General Electric at Hanford in 1952. He worked on the development of nuclear fuels and was awarded several patents on nuclear fuel elements. He obtained his Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. He then joined Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory continuing his work on nuclear fuels and geothermal energy until his retirement in 1995.

Clem enjoyed participating in many sports including football, snow skiing, golf, and tennis. He remained very active throughout his life, including playing tennis each week until the age of 82. He also enjoyed playing bridge and being an active member of a Richland stock market club for over 50 years. He cherished the lifelong friendships he made in these activities.

Clem married Betty Lou Hillman in 1951. They were together for 36 yrs. until her death in 1987. They raised 5 children in Richland and together they enjoyed traveling as a family, frequently camping in the National Parks of the West, and visiting their relatives on Washington farms and on the Oregon and Washington coasts.

Clem married Tona Hoopingarner in 1992 and moved to Pasco. They frequently traveled, attending operas and theater and visiting friends and family events in Europe, Asia and the US.

Clem reflected in the last months of his life that he has been truly blessed by living for 83 years, and then set a goal to make it to 84. He often said that deciding to move from Michigan to the Pacific Northwest at the age of 18 was the best decision he ever made.

Clem passed away on Sept 14, 2014—hours after enjoying his 84th birthday with family. Clem was preceded in death by wife Betty and son Matthew. He is survived by his wife Tona and his four children, Wayne, Keith Kathy, Janet, and Tim Eva, grandson Kyle, brother Donald Pat, and step children Neil Ronda and Jill Vern and several grandchildren.

A brief graveside service is Friday, Sept. 19 at 1:00 PM at Einan's Sunset Gardens in Richland; the memorial service is Friday, Sept. 19 at 2:30 PM at the Lord of Life Lutheran church in Kennewick.

Donations in Clarence's name may be made to Hospice at the Chaplaincy of the Tri-Cities; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; or charity of your choice. .