Richard L. Parris

Richard L. Parris, Ph.D of Exeter, NH, formerly of Natick, passed peacefully with his loving family at his side on October 23, 2012. Born August 18, 1945 in Boston, he was the son of the late Richard S. Parris of Natick and Priscilla P. (Dutton) Parris of Oak Bluffs. He is survived by his wife, Pamela (Taylor) Parris, daughters Pamela J. Parris, Priscilla T. (Parris) McCormack and her husband Noah. He is predeceased by a sister, Sandra (Parris) Cutler of Florida who passed away in 2004. Richard also leaves siblings Donn L. Parris of Natick, Susan E. Green of Berlin, MA, Nancy G. Yancey of Wareham, several nieces and nephews. A graduate of Natick High School in 1963, Richard went on to attend Tufts University, where he received his Phi Beta Kappa key and secured his B.S. (summa cum laude). He continued to Princeton, receiving both his M.A. and Ph.D. He taught math at Rutgers University in New Jersey, Stonehill College in Easton, Suffolk University in Boston and since 1978 a current faculty member at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. During his current tenure, he was named the George Albert Wentworth Professor of Mathematics. In 1991, he received the Presidential Award for excellence in science and mathematics teaching from the National Science Foundation. Exeter has also recognized the excellence of his teaching, presenting him with the Charles Ryberg Award in 1987, the Rupert Radford Award in 1988 and the Brown Family Faculty Fund award in 1993. We have lost a giant among educators. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues and students worldwide. In lieu of flowers the family prefers contributions to a newly-established Rick Parris Scholarship Fund at Phillips Exeter Academy. This can be found at www.exeter.edu or calling 603-777-3345.