Former Alaska State Rep. Clark Gruening, whose political and civic legacy traced back to the roots of Alaska’s territorial era and statehood movement, died June 17, 2025, at the Juneau Pioneers Home. He was 82.
Gruening was born March 28, 1943, into a family deeply intertwined with Alaska’s political heritage. He was the grandson of Ernest Gruening, the former Territorial Governor and US Senator who was one of the most prominent advocates for Alaska statehood. His father, Huntington Sanders “Hunt” Gruening, was a commercial airline pilot and aviation executive who also served on the inaugural City and Borough of Juneau Assembly.
Raised in Juneau, Clark Gruening graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1961. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon in 1965 and a law degree from George Washington University in 1969 before returning to Alaska to practice law.
He entered public service in the 1970s and was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1974, serving two terms. During his time in the Legislature, Gruening played a key role in negotiations and legislation that laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Alaska Permanent Fund, a defining feature of the state’s fiscal structure. He had a unique ability to work across the aisle with Republicans.
In 1980, Gruening made national headlines when he defeated incumbent US Sen. Mike Gravel in the Democratic primary — a reversal of history, as Gravel had unseated Gruening’s grandfather in the same race 12 years earlier. Gruening went on to lose the general election to Republican Frank Murkowski.
Although he never returned to elected office, Gruening remained active in Alaska’s legal, civic, and philanthropic life. He contributed his time and leadership to numerous organizations, including the Juneau Community Foundation, the Foraker Group, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, and Outdoor Recreation Community Access.
In recognition of his decades of service to the state and its people, the University of Alaska Southeast awarded Gruening an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2020.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; sons Nathan (Selena) and Matthew; brothers Win (Anne) and Brad (Bonnie), all of Juneau; brother Peter Gruening; and sisters Kimberley (Steve) and Tiffany, all of Washington State.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy posted a statement: “Rose and I are saddened by the passing of Clark Gruening. He came from a long legacy of public service and devoted much of his life to Alaska’s future. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and all who knew him.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date. Governor Dunleavy will order flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Clark Gruening on a date to be determined in accordance with the family’s wishes.
I was fortunate to have all of my conservative Republican friends work hard to get me elected in 1980, and defeat Clark. It helped greatly that Jimmy Carter was coming off of a very failed presidency. I was getting pulled up the ladder by the Ronald Reagan wave of success. And here we are 45 years later and my own legacy is in question because of my daughter’s own reckoning that she really is a liberal Democrat and has decided to come out of the closet and destroy my conservative legacy. The irony of politics is that you win some and lose some even if your own bloodlines becomes your political downfall.
RIP Clark.
Clark was a prince of a man and a pleasure to be with. I rode the chair and skied with him quite often for a while and conversations with him were always such a pleasure. He always had everybodys best interests at heart. He will be sorely missed by all.
I got to know Clark when I was lobbying in Juneau in the late 80’s. He was a great guy and a good guy to hit tennis balls with down at Evergreen Park. He loved Juneau and Alaska and did his community proud. RIP my friend.
Clark was a friend and one of several friends all of whom shared a “duck shack” in Trading Bay during September’s and Octobers for many years. He was a delight to spend time
with.
He was a good attorney and would have been a good Senator. In those days elected officials on both sides of the parties had Alaska interests first. He was a very reasonable man and was willing to first do what was best for Alaska.
He will be missed and remembered.