Dr.Gerald W. Parker

Dr. Gerald W. Parker, 78, of Rindge, New Hampshire died on July 15, 2008 at his home, "Hacienda Heights" in the arms of his loving wife, Susan.  He was a retired Brigadier General of the United States Air Force Medical Corp.


Dr. Parker was born on October 22, 1929 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, son of the late Galveston and Lillian Parker.  He was a 1946 graduate of Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady, N.Y.  At the age of 15, Dr. Parker was accepted at Union College, also in Schenectady, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951.  Dr. Parker received his medical degree from New York Medical College in 1955 and received the William Cullen Bryant Award as the Valedictorian of his class.  He completed his internship at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady in 1956.


He began his Air Force career as a Captain in September 1956 by attending the Basic Orientation for Medical Officers at Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama, and the Primary Course in Aviation Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.  From December 1956 to June 1958, he was assigned as Flight Surgeon and Dispensary Commander at Hondo Air Base in Texas.


In 1961, Dr. Parker completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Wilford Hall USAF Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.  He remained at Wilford Hall until 1965 where he served as Staff Internist and Chief of the Gastroenterology Service. He finished his residency in gastroenterology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., in 1966.


He transferred to the 388th Tactical Dispensary, at the Korat Royal Thi Air Force Base in Thailand, where he was Chief of Professional Services until August of 1967.  His next assignment was at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, where he was Chairman of the Department of Medicine.  Dr. Parker was then assigned to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland in July, 1969 and served as Chief of Internal Medicine Services at Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center. In September, 1970, he was named Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Malcolm Grow.  Dr. Parker was assigned back to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in 1972 as Chairman of the Department of Medicine and in 1975 became Director of Hospital Services at the Center.


In August, 1977, he became Commander of the Air Force Hospital at Torrejon Air Base in Spain.  In September, 1978, he returned to the United States and served as Deputy Director of Medical Plans and Resources in the Office of the Surgeon General at the U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and he became the Director in May, 1980.  He was also Director of Medical Inspections at the U.S. Air Force Inspection and Safety Center at Norton Air Force Base in California from June, 1981 to February, 1983. From March 1983 to March 1985, he served as Commander of the Air Force Medical Service Center; Deputy Surgeon General for Operations; and Director of Professional Services at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas.


Dr. Parker retired on June 30, 1997, after serving as Chief of the Clinical Services Division at the King Health Center, U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, D.C. and Director of Professional Affairs and Quality Assurance. 


His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with Two Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Army Certificate of Merit.


Dr. Parker was a Fellow and past Governor of the American College of Physicians, he was a Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Examiners, and the American Board of Internal Medicine.  He is a life member of the American College of Physicians and a member of the Society of Air Force Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., Aerospace Medical Association and the Air Force Association.


He had also served as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Texas University of Health Sciences at San Antonio from 1972 to 1977, Adjunct Professor of Health Sciences at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. from 1987 to 1997, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1997.  He was Clinical Professor of Medicine at Howard University Washington, D.C. from 1990 to 1997.  In 1996, Dr. Parker was selected Physician Laureate by the American College of Physicians.


Dr. Parker was a 32 Degree Mason and an active member of the Petworth Lodge No. 47 in Washington, D.C. and the Scottish Rite Bodies of the District of Columbia.


After moving to Rindge, New Hampshire in 1997, Dr. Parker continued to be very active socially, politically and civic minded.  He served in several capacities with the Town of Rindge and was active on the Rindge Planning Board, the Conservation Commission and was the Town's Health Officer.  He was also very active in areas concerning our youth and would speak frequently with the students at the Rindge Memorial School about the dangers of smoking and how to make healthier choices in life.


Dr. Parker was an active and founding member of the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow.  He served on the executive boards of the Hampshire Country School in Rindge, and the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance Service.  He belonged to the Rindge Historical Society and the Cheshire County Historical Society.  He was a member of the Christian Outreach Church in Rindge.  He was a member and past president of the Sons of the Union Army and was a member of the Rindge Veterans Association, the John Humiston American Legion Post #11 of Jaffrey, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5613 of Jaffrey.  He was a founding member of the Fargo Cancer Institute Board of Directors for the past fifteen years with Dr. Paul Sugarbaker, FACS, FRCS.


He loved spending time working in his yard and tending to his wide variety of beautiful gardens and ponds which attracted so many wildlife species and all different bird species which he so loved.  Many of his happiest moments were lived in the home he loved, which he called "Hacienda Heights".  Dr. Parker also enjoyed traveling around the world with his wife by his side.


Dr. Parker is survived by his wife, best friend, and the love of his life for the past 27 years, the Honorable State Representative, Susan Emerson of Rindge, NH.  He is also survived by his daughter Pamela Studer of Walla-Walla, Washington, his sons Geoff & Martha Parker and Joseph Parker, all of Denver, Colorado; his step-sons Chad & Diana Emerson of Seattle, Washington, and Christopher Emerson of Corpus Christi, Texas; 13 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.  His daughter Anne Jackson died in 1995.  He is also survived by his brother, Jon & Carol Parker of Schenectady, NY, and nieces, Debbie, Kathy, and Wendy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Parker's name to Christian Outreach Church, P.O. 672, Rindge, N.H. 03461 or to the Rindge Veteran's Association, P.O. Box 723, Rindge, N.H.

Burial will be held at the convenience of the family at Arlington National Cemetery.

At Dr. Parker's request, there will be no calling hours.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Dr. Parker's life will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. at Christian Outreach Church, 199 North Street, Rindge, NH.  Pastor Robert Hakala will officiate.