Matthew Parrish

DR. MATTHEW D. PARRISH, COLONEL (RET.), 93 ROCKFORD - Matthew D. Parrish, 93, of Rockford died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, in P.A. Peterson Center for Health. Born April 1, 1918, in Washington, D.C., son of Forrest and Alice (Flynn) Parrish. He married Marilyn K. Arney on May 29, 1978, in Lincoln. Dr. Parrish received his BA from the University of Virginia in 1939, and his MD from George Washington University in 1950. He was a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and a Fellow (life member) of the American Psychiatric Association. He served in World War II, first in aerial combat in the Pacific as a navigator for 13 months, and later teaching navigation. After completing medical education, Dr. Parrish then distinguished himself as: psychiatrist, U.S. Army Far East Command (Japan and Korea); chief, Mental Hygiene Consultation Service, Fort Belvoir; assistant chief, Psychiatry and Neurology consultant to Army Surgeon General; chief, Psychiatry Service, U.S. Army Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany; chief, Psychiatric Department, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research; and, chief, Psychiatry and Neurology Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. His military career spanned three wars. Dr. Parrish came to Illinois along with other military psychiatrists in the early 1970s. He assumed the role for two years of director of training, Illinois Department of Mental Health, Chicago. In 1974, he came to Singer Mental Health Center, serving in positions as superintendent, medical director, and unit psychiatrist before retiring. University of Illinois-Chicago appointments included clinical professor and clinical assistant professor; and, he was presented "The Faculty Recognition Award For 2006." Matt will be remembered by his many friends and co-workers as a fair, caring, learned gentleman who was generous in sharing his wealth of knowledge and information. While Matt had many and varied interests, music, reading, writing, philosophy, drawing, and hot chocolate were among his passions. Survivors include his wife, Marilyn of Rockford; sons, Denwood (Linda) of Florida, John (Melanie Goldberg) of Michigan, Stephen of Pennsylvania and Maxwell of Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren; many great- grandchildren; and sisters, Marian Seidl of Colorado and Nancy Posey of Virginia. Predeceased by his beloved daughter, Megan Irene; two brothers; one sister; and former wife, Virginia. The family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Matt's special side-kick, Jon Solverson. Service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., Rockford, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.; the Rev. Beth Wagner will officiate. Graveside service at noon Thursday, Jan. 19, in Mt. Pulaski Cemetery, Mt. Pulaski. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center, 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford, IL 61108 or P.A. Peterson Center for Health, 1311 Parkview Ave., Rockford IL 61107. To share a memorial or online condolence, visit olfsonfh.com.