On Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, Duane Parker died in hospice care at home, surrounded by his family. More than a decade ago, Duane was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). We had expected only five more years, but Duane wanted more — more time, more love, more family. Through medicine, blood donors, and sheer willpower, he turned five years into ten so that he could experience more of what he came to cherish most: living with his wife (Barbara) of 58 years and enjoying his family. 

With Barbara, they moved across the country, from Seattle to Illinois (Garrett Theological Seminary) to Kansas (Topeka State Hospital) to Rhode Island (Interfaith Health Care Ministry) to Georgia (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education) – and back.  

They lived in Barrington from 1976 to 1984, where their three children (Stacy, Pam & Jon) attended BHS.  They returned to Riverside from 1994-2003, before returning to Seattle.

In Rhode Island, he chased kites, sank boats, and sang gospel. He helped found hospice and Samaritan programs, innovated Clinical Pastoral Education programs, coached Little League and soccer, became a certified bake-master of the classic New England Clambake, and swam with the fledgling Annawamscutt Seal Society.