Clarence Towers
1943 – 2021
San Francisco resident Clarence Brooks Towers passed away on Jan 2, 2021, at Kaiser Permanente hospital in San Francisco. The hospital declared that his passing was due to pneumonia and acute renal failure.
Clarence was born August 4, 1943, in Ruston, LA as the only child to Marbury and Leona Towers. When he was four years old, the family moved to the Bay Area, CA where he spent his childhood. He attended and graduated from UC Berkley with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. He later continued his education in Gothenburg, Sweden where he studied English Language and Literature/Letters.
Upon return to the Bay Area, he launched a professional photography career which began with Channel 9 in San Francisco. Later, he started his own commercial photography business where he took on assignments for a wide variety of business segments that included corporate, advertising, and fashion photography, along with portrait and catalog work for friends and family as well as charity work. In the eighties, he started to work for the City of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department to document special events and activities, and in the late nineties, he assumed a position as the Director for the San Francisco Photography Center located at the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts. He retired from the City in 2010.
Throughout his career, Clarence traveled frequently primarily in the Western United States, New York, Europe, and Asia. Throughout his travels, he did travel and artistic landscape photography. His main artistic interest was to document Black rodeo culture. Over the course of four decades, he produced a unique body of work yet to be assessed in its entirety.
Clarence was active in retirement and frequently played tennis, rode his bicycle, and continued his photography business and artistic interest. After his mother passed away in 2017, he started working part-time for a service provider assisting the elderly with transportation needs.
He is survived by his son, Peter, daughter-in-law, Katherine, and two granddaughters, Cleo and Marta.
There is no service planned at this time. If you would like to contact the family, please use the contact form on this site.
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The units to measure a person’s worth are not how they died but how they lived.
Clarence and I had a drink together in the fall and we were supposed to connect just before he passed. It was great to see him and we had planned to go look at some exhibits after things open up. He was a great artist and a generous open person. Please let us know if we can help with any kind of ways to celebrate him. We are all very sorry for your loss. Lewis
I have known Clearance for over 30 years he was my first photographer and great friend.
As a neighbor of Clarence, I had the good fortune to see him often. It was always a pleasure; our community is diminished by his passing.
Clarence built his first studio at Artaud in my space 316 around 1988. We shared a lot of experiences when we were studio mates that keep playing through my mind with different people and places.
He worked at the city photo lab and I was commuting to Menlo Park and San Mateo, but, our social lives crossed a lot. He came to dinner parties at my house with foodie friends. I think he killed the stove baking a Thanksgiving goose one year. We worked on some photo shoots together and enjoyed wine tasting in Sonoma with friends.
Clarence became a big hit at Open Studios and needed more space, which he found at Hunter’s Point. After a while he moved into the studio on the first floor. Open Studios at Hunter’s Point will not be the same without him.
Mari Eliza
Dear Clarence,
Thank you for your wonderful energy.
It was a joy going over your work and plotting exhibits for you.
I am still in touch with Paris, and, looking at a local exhibit.
I know I am speaking into the ethers, but your life’s work lives on.
And I will continue with our plans as best I can.
Thank you for your wonderful soul, heart and wit.
The first law of thermodynamics says that no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed.
Some of us will live forever……
Kal
Clarence was a wonderful friend and neighbor for almost forty years. His photography will continue to inspire
Dear Peter and Katherine and all of Clarence’s extended family-
I was a 35 year resident of Project Artaud and like Clarence had a studio on the first floor. We got to know each other bumping into each other in the mail room and sometimes thereafter shared a coffee or a tea (I’m a Brit so tea is my preference). … I want to say how sorry I am at Clarence’s passing. He was far too young to leave us to our own devices this way. Clarence was kind, had a beautiful smile that lit up his entire face :°) He was cheeky too and quick witted but always had a good word to say about everyone. If I grumbled about building politics, he smiled and stayed above the fray. Hard to do in a feisty artist community like Artaud. I’m smiling broadly just to think of him and that is in of itself a great legacy to leave.
I wish you all long and happy lives and I’m sorry we cannot all gather to share the memories, the sadness and the laughter.
Clarence was special. Not only did he have the best smile, he was truly there. I would see him in the center parking lot. Really, he would help out. Over the years, I got to know him better. He, his photography was a gem. How much can one expect of a neighbor? I wish you condolences at this time. Bijou
Knowing Clarence for over 30 years has always been a reliable source of renewed Light in my life. His vibrant loving nature was a positive Force in the Project Artaud community. He was the “anchorman” at Board and Building Meetings, holding the Flame of humility, patience and understanding. This same quality of Heart & Soul got projected into his beautiful photographic expressions, bringing much joy and pleasure into our lives.
I met Clarence through a mutual friend when he was at his Ninth Street studio years before he found his way to Project Artaud. He had a brilliant mind, an infectious smile and a laugh you could hear a block away. He was a best friend who liked everyone despite their flaws. Wherever he is and whoever he is with now they are lucky to have him. Farewell my friend!
Peter, I was saddened to hear that Clarence passed away. My thoughts are with you and your family. Clarence will truly be missed.
I met Clarence at the photo center when I was studying at the Art Academy; we became friends and, over the years, shared fun conversations about photography, travel, and life… I think I had finally convinced him that Africa was calling him name for a photoshoot:-)
Rest in peace, my friend.
My heart is heavy. Clarence has been a staple in my life for the last 32 years; he was one of the 1st three clients I had when I started has a hair stylist. Since then we have seen each other every 6 weeks for hair services aswell as social events in between. I’m alittle lost at the moment expecting to hear from him as it is well past time. Clarence was never really on time 🙂 but he was always there when needed. He was so warm and welcoming to everyone he encountered, he developed friendships with many of my clients whom are all sadden to hear of his passing.
We loved Rodeo together, attending Grand Nationals every year they were coming. Whenever we went I could not let Clarence walk behind me because inevitably I would lose him only to find him engaged in conversation with someone. People loved his spirit. He was also my Photographer for all of my events which have been many over these 30 some years, however above all he was my Dear Friend. I could call on C for anything, help of any kind, emotional, professional and even financial; He has been a rock for me. I am sadden that I could not have been with him in his transitioning.
As I think about him I’m remembering a few words he used often, Jive, Cat and Humbug, they will forever bring a smile to my face. Rest In Peace my friend.
Clarence and I first met in 1979. Over the years and decades he became as close a friend as a man could hope for; like a brother. His unrelenting smile, warmth, joie de vivre, concern for his friends and family were unequaled. As an example; Clarence traveled to Israel in the spring of 2013 to attend the wedding of my daughter Jessica. We spent a day with my son Daniel exploring the Old City of Jerusalem. He was in his element with camera in-hand. A piece of my heart is gone with Clarence. His heart was as big as any human can possess. Thankfully, memories are the continuation of a life. Thus, Clarence will forever live in me.
The most beautiful person ever ~
I met Clarence in 2077.
He was always a Steadfast friend to me.
Regretfully, I only knew of his passing today.
I can tell you, the tears are flowing ~
Call me if in anyway I can help?
Love,
Julia
Clarence was a longtime friend and always a joy to be around. He and my father became friends through their shared passion of photography. They met at the Photo Center at Duboce Park in San Francisco, which was in my family’s neighborhood. Clarence was the director of the Photo Center, which served as a wonderful community for photographers.
Even when my family moved from the neighborhood, Clarence and my dad remained good friends. They went shooting together and would get together for the occasional dinner. I always enjoyed hearing about Clarence’s latest travels; he was a very well traveled and worldly man.
Clarence was a kind, generous person, and I will cherish his memory.
I met Clarence in 1977 when I began working at Community Boards because his photography studio was on the same floor. We became friends almost immediately and not too long after we became brothers. He taught me photography and so the thousands of family photos and the more than 25 cameras I have today, are because of him. He actually taught me how to see and experience the world around me in a completely different way and through completely different lenses. During that period, I always had some sort of camera with me while eagerly looking to capture one of the million magical moments that could be seen each day. Clarence taught me to see what was extraordinary in that which at first appeared ordinary.
We knew each other before I had a family and he was the first to take pictures of my wife Margie. He was there to hold my children and they all know him as Uncle Clarence. We traveled together as I introduced him to flute conventions and the amazing world community of flutists. We traveled to Atlanta, Ohio, and New Mexico and had great fun.
As you know, Clarence was a clothes horse and we had many shopping adventures while spending lots of money on “Great savings deals.” He was central to many significant family meals and celebrations. He was one of the ringleaders of our famed, barbecue sauce-offs which included Marc and Lois Martin. He would often bring these great oysters to put on the grill.
Now Clarence’s relationship with time, or being on time, as most of you know, was legendary. Yet when Clarence was in a conversation with you, he listened as if what you were saying was the most important thing happening on the planet at that time. He was never too much in a rush to give you his full attention. He loved good food, good cigars, fine bourbons, and great conversations with trusted friends. Along with a great smile, and wonderful personality, he had that beautiful smooth reassuring voice. Clarence truly loved people, all kinds of people. More important to him than race, color or culture, were heart and sincerity. Clarence was truly extraordinary in that way.
I talked with him right after Christmas and we had planned to get together right after the Holidays. I was in Marin getting an oil change on Jan 4th when I got the text from a mutual friend saying Clarence had died. I was so discombobulated when I read the text my heart refused to decode the message accurately. I called and when the death was confirmed, my wife and I cried like babies right there in the dealership.
I will miss Clarence, My Bubba. I loved him. My heart hurts even now while I write this, yet I am so glad he was in my life and he will forever be in my heart.
Ken Hawkins
Very sorry to hear of your passing. Remembering when we traveled together in Europe in 1965. And the many gatherings in the Bay Area since then. Glad to have a few of your wonderful photos with me in my home.
I recently learned of Clarence’s untimely passing and wanted to send my recollections of our time together. I met Clarence in 1963 over a pool cue. We began shooting pool in the basement of the ASUC building on the Berkeley campus. That grew into a close friendship which allowed me to meet his lovely mother at their family home in East Oakland. Clarence was indeed a clothes horse and we spent more money than either of us could afford buying clothes at high end stores in San Francisco. When Clarence moved to Sweden in 1964, I was able to visit him the following year and stay at his apartment where I was introduced to the many new friends he had made, including Ludmilla who subsequently gave birth to their son, Peter. When I learned that Clarence had named his son after me, I was honored then and remain so today. Peter, your father will always be remembered for his radiant smile, his warmth, his ability to listen to others and his desire to calm those around him. He will be sorely missed.
Remembering Clarence (2000-2021)
After reading all the remembrances I know Clarence was loved by many. That is a great measure of a Man.
We met around 2000 when we were both working at the City and County of San Francisco. We have been friends ever since. At the time I was sent to train him and his staff on the computers that IT installed in the Photo Center. We hit it off right away, as I had studied photography in college. We had so much in common: Women, photography, food, bike riding, horses, travel, clothes, and going to the gym. Clarence was like a Father to me, and he could have been as he was 18 years older, and he was Black like my Father. I always appreciated his wisdom, his live-and-let-live spirit. Whenever we were together he always seemed so calm, like everything was under control. I loved his worldliness and hearing about his travels and his friends. I loved his vocabulary “humbug”, “functionary” among other words he invented. While I never understood exactly what those words meant, I had an idea.
His thoughtfulness and generosity were legendary. My wife will never forget how he called to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day on her 1st Mother’s Day! My wife still has the empty bottles of Egg Nog he made for us every Christmas. What memories! While Clarence and I could go out “womanizing”, he was the total family man. He loved his family and mine. Over the decades he attended many family events at our homes both on the East and West coasts. My wife and daughter loved him dearly. He was “Uncle Clarence”. As soon as my daughter was old enough, the three of us were horseback riding together around the Bay at Seahorse Ranch and Chaparral Ranch. Once after dinner at Tadich Grill in San Francisco, we walked back to his car. Spontaneously he opened the trunk and gave me a box of See’s Candy! My favorite! I will never forget his generosity and thoughtfulness.
Not only during good times, but more importantly during hard times Clarence was always there. Over the decades we shared our problems with each other: Women, work, parents, children, etc. Clarence was a great listener as others have mentioned. When I would share my problems he would listen with his whole body not just his ears. By his example I have learned from him how important listening is.
We love you Clarence and we will miss you! ❤
Clarence and I met in 1984 when I moved to San Francisco. He was a close friend to my family, a colleague to my uncle, who shared a professional passion for photography. I got to know some of the Bay Area through Clarence’s eyes – his craft was beautiful, as were his good looks and a big smile. Thanks to my family’s love for brunch and get-togethers, I’d get to connect with Clarence – we even shared the same birthday, making it even more fun. Since both of us worked for the city in one capacity or another, we’d discuss some of the challenging issues of the day, in particular, strengthening free and low-cost Recreation & Park services for the people. He had a big heart and I enjoyed his company very much. He will be missed!
“I will always remember Clarence’s pure enthusiasm and joy for photography. As the current Director of the Harvey Milk Photo Center, he was always supportive to the work and projects we were involved in. I will always remember the long discussions we had together, about the Center, and other photographer’s work that was being created.”
I’m and so saddened to hear of this news. I have known Clarence for decades and was fortunate to have him as a regular guest of our camera shows. A genuine gentle soul who was well liked by everyone in our organization and those regular attendees that interacted with him.
I knew Clarence from the Harvey Milk Photo Center in San Francisco when I printed there in the 1990’s. He was always knowledgable and kind, and a pleasant person to have a chat with. I last ran in to Clarence at a camera swap about a year ago, which was a nice surprise. I never guessed it would be my last chance to talk with him. I’m very sorry to read of his passing. Clarence will be missed!
I did not know Clarence.
He was a friend of my friend, Bill O’Sullivan.
Bill and I share the same passion of Clarence… photography.
I can see the smile in Clarence’s eyes.
My wife and I send your family our love and prayers.
Thank you for sharing his life with us.
When I moved to sf in 2012 he offered to be my assistant for some photo shoots. I could not believe it. Clarence had 30 years of experience more than me and he was spending his time with me to help starting my career as photographer in the Bay Area. Since then, I called him “my angel”. Humble, kind, full of love and positive energy…Thank you Clarence
I’m misty eyed from the tributes here. Clarence had a village of folks who were important to him, and whose lives he impacted joyfully.
He was a good friend of mine. It’s taken me awhile to process his passing, I was stunned. Last he and I communicated was just when Biden won the election; we had missed getting together when I was in the Bay Area October 2020. I tried to contact Clarence in January 2021, and being unable to reach him, assumed he was traveling again. In April 2021, again up north, I became suspicious that I had could not reach him, and very sadly learned of his passing in finding this site.
I met Clarence through the SF Photo Center, at end of the 1970s. I had just graduated from Cal, was living in the City and playing with black/white art photography. Clarence taught me much about creative techniques in the darkroom. I was a fan of the photographer Bill Brandt, Clarence and I talked a lot about photographers we admired, and became friends.
On occasion I assisted him at his studio on Ninth Street, where he was doing commercial work. The area was sketchy then, but what a studio! Chock full of lights, seamless, camera bodies, lenses, and the disarray that leaves you knowing you’re in a creative, energetic place. He asked me to be one of a few models for a series he created on women as celestial bodies; it was to be a triptych, at the minimum, in a gallery show of his work. The concept daring as in one theme, I was to be “a poile”, covered entirely in silver paint (like”Goldfinger”), wearing a silver skull cap. A female form as a silver bullet. Afterwards he superimposed a starry black sky background, so it appeared as if I was floating in space. Frozen like a statue on this pedestal as he clicked away, I feared passing out from body paint asphyxiation. When I said so he laughed that hearty, resonant laugh of his, made a few jokes, and it just became a fun shoot. In another shot I was wound up tightly in wet muslin, like a mummy. Clarence was full of creative ideas, I was at least partly game.
From art openings, jazz gigs, and once a group trip skiing at Tahoe, we hung out. I remember him as a pretty good skier. From the other stories shared here, he had a lively and full social life. In the mid 1980s he went to NYC to run THE marathon, I was working in NY then, and he asked if I wanted to escape Manhattan to photograph the Pennsylvania Dutch country. Of course! We rambled along in his buddy’s Jeep, stopping here and there to shoot. It is a pleasure and privilege to adventure with a fellow photographer, as you implicitly understand when the other says, “Pull over!”
After he retired, Clarence expressed interest in doing voiceover work; I’d been in advertising and he certainly had the rich, resonant voice made for it. In the end he was too busy globetrotting and doing photography, seeing his family and friends, biking. In my mind he is narrating some wonderful documentary— perhaps on Black rodeos.
Others have spoken of Clarence’s gift as a listener. He’d lean in to be extra engaged in whatever you were saying. He was enthused and joyous to see his friends’ families grow up; he “kvelled” (Yiddish for spoke gushingly) whenever he saw my daughters, or photos of them growing up. Clarence often spoke of his family, with a swelling pride despite the distance that separated him from Peter and his grandkids. He was also definitely a momma’s son in the best sense.
Clarence was a bon vivant, a grabber of life, lover of cigars, spirits, wine, and good food. He had a lifelong curiosity about the world, and a love of sharing that through the lens. In particular his photos of Black cowboys, his landscapes, reflected his wonderment with humanity and nature.
His phrases I will never forget: “What a coinkydink” (coincidence), and “I’ll see you sooner!”
You were gone too soon, old friend. Thank you for the positive impact on my life, both in informing my love of photography and in your friendship.
I’m so sorry to hear of Clarence’s passing. He had been on my mind recently and I’m saddened at his passing. I met Clarence several years ago and the SF Photo Center where we became friends and would do photography shows together. Clarence was always so kind, gentle, friendly, generous and charming; and a wealth of wisdom about life. I could always count on him to guide me through whatever was going on in my life. He always knew what to say to cheer me up. I loved our get togethers and regret not making more time for those. Clarence will be greatly missed.
Travel safely dear friend.
My condolences to the family & friends of Mr. Clarence Towers. I just became aware today and would like to share my experience & memory real quick. I met Mr. Towers at an photo expo/sells event where I bought some film paper from him. He explained how to use it and if any troubles or if I need any tips to call him. That was over 10 years ago and when I called him, he answered and mentor me as needed for about 5 years. I was invited to SF to see some of his personal collection, body of work, and cameras! Will truly be missed and he’s still an inspiration to the future youth like me. Thank you for reading and please cherish Mr. Towers time with you!
Peter and Katherine and all family of Clarences, I am so sorry for your loss. Clarence touched many lives with his kind and generous spirit.
I met Clarence through a mutual friend at a dinner party. I remember it as if it was yesterday with Clarence in full cowboy regalia. I didn’t know at the time that he photographed black cowboys. His hearty laugh and big smile were wonderful to see and hear.
We dated for a couple of years and then went our separate ways but we always stayed in touch over the years and when I got my studio at Hunters Point Shipyards I discovered he was right around the corner from me. Over the years we swapped war stories of open studios, always checked in on each other, borrowed things from each other and he was always happy to help me if needed.
Clarence loved life. He was a great chef. I remember many amazing dishes he made and the only mussels I’ve ever eaten were the ones he made, because I don’t like mussels. He made the best martinis and had a million and one interests. He loved to travel and we did some great trips together. One of my favorites was New Years Eve in a tent in Death Valley. Of course we did manage to toast over a glass of brandy at the Inn. It remains one of my favorite New Years Eve.
Whenever I was in my studio over the years and I would hear that laugh, I’d stick my head out to say hi and we’d catch up. I’ll miss that. I’ll miss his larger than life personality, the blue eyes and just knowing that he was there and that at some point we’d connect. The world is a little less sunny without him. My heart still hurts. Rest in peace Clarence and know you are missed.
Clarence. You are special. I first met you when you were subleasing Mari E’s studio @ Artaud/316.
We collaborated on the Norton$ project with your rodeo pictures.
You wanted to do more with it and sorry we did not get a chance.
So sorry you are gone. You are/were a great spirit.
Great images from a great guy. Seems like you touched the lives of a lot of people.
I just read about Clarence’s passing from Peter’s post on FB. So sad to find out about this today. I used to hang with him at Kenny Hawkins gigs at Lungomare on Jack London Square. When I asked Clarence for guidance on a photo project I was working on, he brought me photographer’s lights and a roll of backdrop paper. And showed me what to do. I had those lights for years. He didn’t seem interested in getting them back even though I reminded him several times. Such a sweet kind man. We will miss you Clarence Towers 💗
Condolences to you Peter and all the family.
To the Towers family: Thank you for reaching out and posting a message on Facebook.
I moved to Colorado from the Bay Area a few years after I retired in 2010 and might not have heard about his passing. I had known Clarence since the mid-1970s. I first hired him to do some photography for the Bank of America annual report and from that start, we became good business friends and then friends on a personal basis. Clarence was a smart and brilliant photographer and artist; someone who loved life and people. But I think it was the cigars and his great sense of humor that cemented our friendship. Also my wife was crazy about him. As the years passed, I became head of communications at Union Bank and established the Local Heroes program with KQED public television to honor outstanding members of the African-American, Asian and Hispanic communities. My first program honored five members of the African-American community in the Bay Area, and I am proud to say Clarence was among that first group of recipients. The program was expanded throughout California and ran for more than a decade.
Clarence’s remarkable photographs of Black Cowboys and his serene landscapes are among the best anywhere.
He was well-traveled, well-read, and a truly gifted man; I am so honored to have known him.
Sorry to hear about Clarence’s passing. Clarence was a special person. My last memory of him is when he and another mutual friend, Gloria Upchurch, we all went together to photograph the Bill Pickens Rodeo. Lots of good laughs, photography moments and unhealthy food. May he Rest In Peace.
I checked in on Facebook as it was his birthday the other day. He didn’t read Facebook that often and I didn’t even know if he would read my birthday greeting. I was surprised and saddened to read of his passing. I knew him well in the late 80s and early 90s. He was so helpful to me at the SF Photo Center that we became friends. I valued his laugh, his kindness and his joie de vivre..
One of the good ones. My heart breaks that I am too late. I so wanted to see him.
It’s been over one year Clarence passing. I played Pickleball and rode Mt bike with him. We were planning a trip to Thailand. I worked at Stern Grove over 30 years Rec Director.
May Clarence find peace in heaven. I miss my good friend
Ed Wong
I was shocked to hear he has passed away. I remembering to meet him in San Francisco Photo Center. And when I was invited him with his friend to Japan to take part in the Artist in Residence in Kagawa, Japan. Thank you so much for your kind for me and my wife, Clarence.
My heart is crying. I didn’t know Cousin Clarence that you were in the hospital. I would have been there by your side. Thank you so much for all the support you gave me after the death of my daughter. Thank you for all the words of encouragement. Thank you for being a part of my life. I am truly truly going to miss you. With all my love MARILYN
Dear Peter, I am just now learning of Clarence’s passing…1.5 years later. I have been thinking about him and called to say hi when I learned his number that’s been ingrained in my brain for over 40 years was not working. So I did an internet search and learned here of his passing. I am so deeply saddened. Throughout our 7 years living together, he opened up my world to great experiences, which included you when you were a young teenager visiting from Sweden. I’m teary eyed reading all the wonderful tributes. I will forever cherish all the fond memories with him from tennis, running Bay to Breakers every year and other races, century rides, his great home cooked gourmet meals, cycling from Daly City to Sausalito for brunch on the weekends, Thanksgiving skiing weekends, visiting his Mom on Sundays and enjoying her meals and then all of us stuffed and passing out on the couch, visiting and spending time with his friends and the list goes on and on. It’s clear here we all have been uplifted with thoughts of Clarence’s kindness, hearty laugh, beautiful smile, love for life, family & friends and his many passions. We are all blessed to have known such a beautiful man. My fond memories of him will forever have a special place in my heart. My thoughts are with you and your family. I would love to see you sometime and meet your family. Love, Karen Pacheco
I love you Clarence
I remember biting your ears off with my many photo questions. When you always answered the questions your ears grew back. May you go in Peace.
Going through old papers, leafing through the 2021 SF wide OS catalogue, I just saw a remembrance article on Clarence, he looked so familiar and his name…
I used the darkrooms at Harvey Milk some 30ish years ago where Clarence and I used to share stories about our passion for shooting rodeos.
He was a delightful man. We lost touch when I had my babies, moved to the east bay and stopped printing at HM.
Every rodeo I’ve gone to since has reminded me of Clarence.
I’m really saddened by this fresh news for me. Rest in peace lovely man!
We just learned from a mutual friend of Clarence’s death and are sorry for your loss, family members and friends. We met Clarence several times at the Pacifica Oyster BBQ, where he and friends from Artaud were involved. He was always kind to us. My partner remembers sharing a cigar with him one sunny afternoon.