Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Local resident Rene Lawrence Frank Clemens, who served in ASG for some three-decades and was also a former president of the Lions Club of Pago Pago, passed away at Kaiser Permanente in Modesto, California on Nov. 17th. He was 79-years old, says daughter Dannielle King.

Clemens, accompanied by King and other family, was among the medical patients who were on the Oct. 26th Medicaid charter flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu. The family then traveled to California.

Asked what she will mis most about her father, King said “I miss his wisdom — the wise words he spoke in his very distinctive baritone voice that commanded the attention of everyone in the room.” She and other family members were present when Clemens passed away.

Because of the uncertainty as to when commercial flights to American Samoa from the Hawaii will resume, “we are unable to confirm when his funeral will be,” King said in an email from California responding to Samoa News inquiries.

However, she said the family “will hold his funeral services when we return home, and we will issue an announcement of the service once we are able to return.”

According to his bio shared by the family, Clemens moved home to American Samoa in 1978 with this wife and three young children to help with his family business. Shortly after helping to reorganize and modernize the Frank Shimasaki, Inc. business, he was offered a General Manager position at Meadow Gold American Samoa.

After several years, Meadow Gold relocated its operation off island and he was offered a chance to lead its operations in Honolulu. Clemens however, turned down the position to remain on island to continue to raise his family and be closer to his roots.

Clemens joined government service in 1987 with the Department of Public Safety, where he remained through 1993, serving in various ranking posts including Special

Advisor to Police Commissioner Moa’aliitele Tu’ufuli and Deputy Commissioner Mike Sala on Special Projects and White-Collar Crimes.

“I have known Rene Clemens for many years. His death came as a shock and brought me great sadness,” Sala said in a statement from Oregon, where he is waiting for borders to re-open to return home. “But it was also a time to reflect upon the many fond memories which I have of him, as he was a good friend and a trusted colleague to me, as he was to many people.”

“Rene was a politically intuitive person with admirable and effective leadership skills. He was also a dedicated family man who looked upon his wife and children with love and pride. He was full of love, strength, and encouragement to all the people he served both his family and other people of American Samoa,” he pointed out.

Sala describes Clemens as a “great man and visionary leader – a true and passionately dedicated son of American Samoa. He was a devoted and loyal public servant. He was a kind and humble gentleman who contributed greatly to American Samoa.”

“He was a dear friend and trusted confidant. He will be greatly missed,” he said.

Between 1993 and 1997, Clemens joined the staff of the Governor’s Office during the Lutali Administration where he served as Special Assistant on economic affairs, and later became Lutali’s Chief of Staff. While serving as Chief of staff, he also served as acting budget director, and an advisor to other cabinet directors.

Clemens worked for one-year at the ASG Commerce Department before joining LBJ Medical Center in 1998 to 2018, taking on various responsibilities as well as being the executive assistant to the chief executive officer, according to his bio.

Long time family friend, Rep. Larry Sanitoa said Clemens “was a good man” who “had a distinguished career in the private sector and during his time at ASG.”

“I got to know him well when I came back home in 1996. He was a man of great integrity and intelligence. His insights on economic issues and the challenges facing our territory were invaluable,” said Sanitoa. “I will truly miss his advice and counseling.”

“My sincere condolences and sympathies to his beautiful wife, children and the family. May he rest in peace,” he said.

Clemens was also involved in community service, through the establishment of the Little League Baseball, with other business owners. He served on organizations such as the Lions Club of Pago Pago, holding the post of president from 1999 to 2000 and Zone Chair of the Lions Club. And he was a founding member of the Filipino Association of American Samoa in 1979

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Esperanza “Nenita” Clemens, 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

Samoa News extends sincere condolences to the grieving family.