Karl W. Clauson

Karl William (Bill) Clauson died on July 31, 2025, age 81. He was born in North Hampton, MA on November 22, 1943, to Barbara Amy Walker and Karl Albert Clauson.

A graduate of Greenwich High School, Bowdoin College and Boston College Law School, Bill began his career as a law clerk at the NH Supreme Court in 1971. He went on to practice law in Hanover, where he was known for being a passionate advocate for justice. As one colleague remembers, "Bill was that kind of lawyer—just, hardworking, very smart, yet simple, compassionate, interested in helping others rather than making a profit, focused on the character and substance of a person rather than on his worth, possessions, pedigree or fame."

Fatherhood was Bill’s greatest joy, driving endless hours to take his children to hockey games, building a backyard rink where he would stand in the freezing cold to put down layer after layer of ice, editing papers, teaching algebra and always family dinner around the kitchen table.

Bill loved annual White Mountain hiking trips, swimming in Maine's cold waters, New Yorker cartoons, playing squash, walking for miles in new cities, and reading Treasure Island, The Hobbit and The Count of Monte Cristo aloud to his children.

Bill was perhaps best known for his belief that "decent people who are right will prevail" and his philosophy to "do good and have fun."

In 2011, Bill was diagnosed with cognitive impairment which progressed to Alzheimer's. After a long absence from his family, he returned to the loving care of his wife, children and son-in-law for the last year of his life. Bill's brain was donated to Alzheimer's research, and we encourage others to do the same.

Bill is survived by his wife Helen (Eileen) Clauson, whom he met at a college dance, and their six children: Laura (Eamonn Gearon), Karl (Duni Ranasuryia), Sean, Kevin (Juliette Belmonte), Natasha (Jason Uslan), and Ryan. He was a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Luka, Fergal, Suri, Jack, Elizabeth, Paloma, and Nemesis. He is also survived by his siblings JoAnn Joy, Christine Stormont, and Peter. He was predeceased by his brother Robert.

A celebration of life will be held on August 30, 2025, at 1pm at his home, 104 Greensboro Road, Hanover. If you think you might attend, please email lauraclauson@gmail.com to help with planning.

Please consider acts of kindness in lieu of flowers.