Clarence Carl (C.C.) Noyer died on Friday morning, Feb. 29, 2008, at his home overlooking the quiet waters of Holmes Harbor.
The son of Joseph and Rosa Goetz Noyer, Clarence was born in the home of his grandmother, Minnie Noyer, in Roseburg, Ore., on Feb. 12, 1924.
After graduating from Roseburg High School in 1942, Clarence joined the Navy and served as an Electronics Officer aboard the USS Halford, a destroyer, in the Pacific Fleet during World War II. There he was witness to the calamities of war in the naval battles leading up to the liberation of the Philippines. He again served his nation in the Navy during the Korean War.
Between the wars, he won the love and admiration of Elizabeth Marsh Rowe of Rochester, N.Y., and they were married on July 22, 1950. She remained his steadfast and loving companion until her death on Oct. 11, 2005.
Following his graduation from the University of Oregon in 1957, Clarence and Betty and their burgeoning family moved to California, where Clarence joined the staff of Stanford University. There he served as scientific and electronics associate at the High Energy Physics Laboratory and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
After his retirement from Stanford University in 1986, Clarence and Betty moved to Whidbey Island where they participated in the community as supporters of the local public library and active members of the congregation of St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Parish.
It was here in Greenbank that Clarence designed and built his geodesic dome home based on the concepts of R. Buckminster Fuller, under whom he studied at the University of Oregon.
Clarence was a man of active intelligence and curiosity, and was fascinated by all aspects of the human arts of design and craftsmanship. He was a master in the use of all tools — from the sewing needle to the spot welder. In addition to his home, he designed and constructed a 35-foot sailing vessel, musical instruments and items of furniture.
Also being an enthusiast of the steam railroad era, Clarence had, as one of his last projects, been in the midst of constructing a model railroad through the property surrounding his home, with rolling stock crafted by his own hand.
Clarence is survived by four daughters, Victoria (Wayne) Eisenhart of Merced, Calif., Pamela Noyer of East Palo Alto, Calif., Lise (David) Snyder of Los Angeles, Calif., Amy (Robert) Andersen of Gresham, Ore., and by two sons, Christopher (Delaine) Noyer of Campbell, Calif., and Bruce (Lorri) Noyer of Silverdale. He is also survived by grandchildren Sarah Eisenhart, Aron Eisenhart, Christopher Snyder, Tracee (Eric) Wilton, Trevor Andersen, Michael Kamalani, Jessica Noyer, Kyle Noyer, Colin Noyer, Conner Noyer, and Kelsie Noyer, and by two great-granddaughters, Bailey and Rossilyn Wilton.
A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Freeland Library or St. Augustine’s.
