Carmel man dies at Eagle Creek Park water race

A Carmel business owner and competitive swimmer died Sunday during a race at Eagle Creek Park.

Chris Clarke, 45, was among the leaders in the Indy Open Water Challenge when he suddenly stopped moving, said Ben Christoffel, program director for the Indy Aquatics Masters swimming club, of which Clarke was a member. Emergency workers pulled him from the water and took him to St. Vincent-Indianapolis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities have not given a cause of death.

"He was such a great asset to our community," Christoffel said. "This is what we do. We do it because it helps us to enjoy our life and our families and everything we do in life."

Clarke, whom friends called "Diesel" because of his build, had won numerous swimming awards, including All-American honors for the U.S. Masters individual swimming and relay events. U.S. Masters Swimming is a nonprofit organization that hosts competitions and clubs for adults.

Friends said Clarke stood out as a leader in every area of his life, including competitive cycling, engineering and activism.

"He was a great athlete," Christoffel said. "He was out there doing what he loved to do."

He owned Clarke Engineering Services and its sister company, Acquire Automation in Fishers, and was a founder of the Verbal Behavior Center for Autism in Indianapolis.

Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Clarke swam at Michigan State University, where he studied engineering. He came to Indianapolis as a project engineer for Eli Lilly and Co. before starting his own companies.

Victoria Rian, a swimmer who also participated in Sunday's race, said Clarke seemed invincible. She said many swimmers in the region recognized him as an intense competitor who maintained a positive attitude.

"That's why it was such a shock," she said, adding that "he always worked hard and played hard."

Dan Lee, a cyclist who trained with Clarke, said Sunday "was a very sad day. We're about the same age. These are very hard things to deal with as you get older at any time of life."

Lee recalled that Clarke often would give his training partners nicknames such as "Nascar" or "The Professor." During group rides, he said, Clarke did silly things to boost morale, such as mimicking Austin Powers by yelling "Hey Baby!" in his South African accent.

"He was a super-fun person to be around," Lee said. "He made you feel like you were back in college or high school when you were with him."

Survivors include his wife, Jane; two daughters, Alex and Kate; and a son, Mitchell.

It is not clear when services will be, but Christoffel said those interested in honoring Clarke's memory can donate to the Verbal Behavior Center for Autism, 9830 Bauer Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46280.

Call Star reporter Steph Solis at (317) 444-6494. Follow her on Twitter: @stephmsolis.