# Gene Clapp

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**Eugene Howard Clapp III** or **Gene Clapp** (born November 19, 1949) is an American [rower](/source/Rowing_(sport)) and Olympian.[1] He competed in the [1972 Summer Olympics](/source/1972_Summer_Olympics), winning the silver medal in the [men's eight event](/source/Rowing_at_the_1972_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men's_eight).[2] He was inducted into the [National Rowing Hall of Fame](/source/National_Rowing_Hall_of_Fame) in 2012.[2][3]

## Early life

Clapp was born in [Brookline, Massachusetts](/source/Brookline,_Massachusetts) and grew up in [Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts](/source/Wellesley_Hills,_Massachusetts).[1][4] He is the son of Maud Millicent Greenwell and Eugene Howard Clapp Jr, a financial advisor.[5][6] His younger brother is [Charles Clapp](/source/Charles_Clapp_(rower)) who was also an Olympic rower.[1]

When he was twelve-years-old, Clapp discovered rowing at summer camp.[1] He attended the [Brooks School](/source/Brooks_School) in [North Andover, Massachusetts](/source/North_Andover,_Massachusetts) where he participated in crew.[7]

He attended the [University of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_Pennsylvania), graduating with a B.A. in 1972.[8] There, he was a member of [St. Anthony Hall](/source/St._Anthony_Hall) and the crew team, rowing in the 1967 Intercollegiate Championship.[1][9] In 1972, he was captain of the Pennsylvania crew team and helped their men's eight team win the 1972 IRA championship.[1]

He then attended the [University of Chicago](/source/University_of_Chicago) and received an MBA in 1974.[8][9]

## Rowing

Clapp represented the United States at the 1971 World Championship, winning the title in men's eight.[1] That same year, he rowed men's fours at the 1971 [American Henley Regatta](/source/American_Henley_Regatta) and won national title.[1] During his training, he was affiliated with the [Vesper Boat Club](/source/Vesper_Boat_Club) in [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](/source/Philadelphia,_Pennsylvania).[10]

Clapp represented the United States in the [1972 Summer Olympics](/source/1972_Summer_Olympics) in the men's eight. The team was assembled at the Olympic Camp and only participated in one race prior to the Olympic games.[11] Their nickname was The Brothers and The Others because five of the eight-person team were from [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University).[11] The team and Clapp won a silver medal with a photo finish; [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) won the gold medal.[10][11] Clapp said, "No one could have beaten [the] New Zealand finish. They are a phenomenal crew, and we are happy with our silver medals."[4]

Annually since their victory at the Olympics, the team has met and raced at the head of the [Charles River](/source/Charles_River) under the name of Alte Achter Boat Club—German for Old Eight.[12] The race is followed by a meal that is usually provided by Clapp.[12] In 1997, their reunion included a rematch of the Gold medal team from New Zealand.[13] After that race, the two teams went on a "grand tour."[13]

On March 12, 2012, Clapp was also inducted into the National Rowing Hall of Fame for Men's Eight as part of the 1972 Olympic team.[2][3]

## Career

After college, Clapp went into finance.[14] In 1974, he worked for Loeb, Rhoades and Co. in [New York City](/source/New_York_City).[9] Later, he worked for [Pfizer](/source/Pfizer).[8] He co-founded and became the principal of [Penobscot Investment Management Company](/source/Penobscot_Investment_Management_Company), an investment management firm in [Boston, Massachusetts](/source/Boston).[14][15] He is also president of the Pine Tree Land Company in Boston which is a branch of the firm by the same name in [Delaware](/source/Delaware).[16] In addition, he is a corporate member of the [Partners in Healthcare System](/source/Partners_in_Healthcare_System).[8]

## Personal life

While at the [University of Pennsylvania](/source/University_of_Pennsylvania), he met his future wife, Meredith Ann Purdy, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Purdy of [Hinsdale, Illinois](/source/Hinsdale,_Illinois).[14][17][5] They were married on July 20, 1974, at the Union Church in Hinsdale.[9] They made their home in first [New York City](/source/New_York_City).[9] They later lived in the Beacon Hill area of [Boston, Massachusetts](/source/Boston_Massachusetts) and had four children.[14]

His has served on the board of [King's Chapel](/source/King's_Chapel), the [Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital](/source/Spaulding_Rehabilitation_Hospital), the [Beacon Hill Civic Association](/source/Beacon_Hill_Civic_Association), the [National Rowing Foundation](/source/National_Rowing_Foundation), and [Partners Continuing Care](/source/Partners_Continuing_Care).[14][2][8] He also served as the chair of the Advent School Board and as board member and treasurer of the [Conservation Law Foundation of New England](/source/Conservation_Law_Foundation_of_New_England).[14]

In 2005, he and his wife were awarded the Beacon Award by the Beacon Hill Civic Association.[14] In 2015, the couple received the Charles E. Rogerson Award for Community Service at the Rogerson Communities Welcome Home! Celebration.[18]

## References

1. ["Gene Clapp: Biographical Information"](http://www.olympedia.org/athletes/40585). *www.olympedia.org*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["National Rowing Hall of Fame: Class of 2014 Induction Ceremony"](https://natrowing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2014-Hall-of-Fame-Program.pdf). *National Rowing Foundation*. May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2022.

1. ["National Rowing Foundation Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2012"](https://www.row2k.com/news/10-25-2011/national-rowing-foundation-announces-hall-of-fame-class-of-2012/66444/). *row2k.com*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["US Eight's Rowing Silver Adverts Shutout"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102190995/clapp/). *The Boston Globe*. September 3, 1972. p. 56. Retrieved May 20, 2022. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Engagements"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102191687/clapp/). *The Boston Globe*. June 16, 1974. p. 101. Retrieved May 20, 2022. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. [*Who's who in Commerce and Industry*](https://books.google.com/books?id=KM-7AAAAIAAJ). Vol. 14. New York: A.N. Marquis & Company. 1965. p. 231. – via Google Books.

1. ["Committed to Excellence - Brooks School: Coeducational Private School in North Andover, MA"](https://www.brooksschool.org/athletics/come-be-a-champion). *www.brooksschool.org*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["Gene Clapp, Penobscot Investment Mgmt Co Inc: Profile and Biography"](https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/16924477). *Bloomberg.com*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["Meredith Purdy is Bride of Eugene Howard Clapp 3d"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102191828/clapp/). *The Boston Globe*. July 21, 1974. p. 78. Retrieved May 20, 2022. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Gene Clapp"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200418091800/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cl/gene-clapp-1.html). Archived from [the original](https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cl/gene-clapp-1.html) on 2020-04-18.

1. Powers, John (October 19, 2012). "[A Silver Lining for '72 Olympic Crew](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102190373/clcla/)". *The Boston Globe*. pp. C14. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. Powers, John (October 19, 2012). ["A Silver Lining for '72 Olympic Crew"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102190024/clapp/). *The Boston Globe*. pp. C1. Retrieved May 19, 2022. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Concannon, Joe (October 18, 1997). ["Rematch on the River"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102190654/clapp/). *The Boston Globe*. p. 84. Retrieved May 20, 2022. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Honoring Meredith & Gene Clapp"](https://www.rogerson.org/wp-content/uploads/Inside-Rogerson-April-2015-for-Web.pdf). *Inside Rogerson Communities*. **8** (1): 2. Spring 1915.

1. ["Penobscot Capital Investment Company: Massachusetts (US)"](https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ma/010137735). *Open Corporates*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["Pine Tree Land Company : Massachusetts (US)"](https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ma/042459872). *Open Corporates*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["Class of 1972 - 45th Reunion"](https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=11646&cid=27798&ecid=27798&crid=0&calpgid=733&calcid=25484). *www.alumni.upenn.edu*. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

1. ["Clapps Honored"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102189834/clapp/). *The Boston Globe*. May 18, 2015. pp. B14. Retrieved May 19, 2022. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

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