Dr. W. Kemp Clark joined the faculty of UT Southwestern in 1956 as assistant professor of surgery. For many years he was the only neurosurgeon in the Department of Surgery, and he was largely responsible for building the Division of Neurosurgery. He served for 34 years until his retirement in 1990. Dr. Clark was in the forefront of treating head trauma and intracranial vascular problems. He developed techniques that are still being used today to treat trauma patients in emergency rooms. He also was dedicated to the education of young neurosurgeons, both in the U.S. and abroad. In 1963, Dr. Clark participated in the emergency treatment for President John F. Kennedy at Parkland Memorial Hospital. He declared the President’s time of death and signed the death certificate. In 1987 an endowed chair to honor Clark was funded by an anonymous donor and established by the UT System Board of Regents.