Harold Clark, Survived ’83 Kidnaping, Dies at 81

Harold Clark, longtime San Diego businessman who survived four days in a car trunk during a kidnaping three years ago, died Friday in his Golden Hill home. He was 81.

Clark came to San Diego in 1942 and owned several restaurants and bars, including the Saratoga Grill, Monte Carlo Cafe and South Seas Restaurant, all of which have closed. He also owned the Knickerbocker Hotel downtown.

In March, 1983, Clark disappeared on his way to a business appointment. Papers he had been carrying were found a day later near an El Cajon Boulevard motel, but Clark and his automobile were not located for four days.

A passer-by spotted the missing car parked on a North Park street. Police found Clark, then 78, nude and dehydrated, in the locked trunk of the car. After his recovery, Clark told of being beaten several times during the ordeal and of being driven around the city, bound, in the closed trunk of his car. A man and a woman were tried and sentenced in the kidnaping.

Clark once held an interest in the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, which was operated by his brother Wilbur and was acquainted with many show business personalities including Phil Harris.

Surviving him are his wife, Mae; a daughter, Shirley Walker of El Cajon; a son, Harold of Paducah, Ky.; a sister, Merle Varcom of San Diego, and four grandchildren. Services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Goodbody Mortuary, 5027 El Cajon Blvd.