Richard Grant Parkison

RICHARD GRANT PARKISON, 90, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at his assisted living facility in Seattle, Wash. He was a retired mechanical engineer at American Standard with 28 patents, including being the co-inventor of the single lever faucet. He was a naval officer during World War II in the Pacific, and was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a master Bridge player and an artist. His sense of humor endeared him to all. Born in Fort Wayne, he lived in Louisville, Ky. for over 40 years. He is survived by two daughters, Rebecca (Loren) Schmidt of Seattle and Joan (Walter) Stark of Fisherville, Ky.; two grandchildren, Anne (Chip) Swetnam of Taylorsville, Ky. and Rebecca (Paul) Tumidolsky of Columbus, Ohio; five great-grandchildren, Evan, Abigail, and Kaeley Swetnam, and Jacob and Andrew Tumidolsky; two sisters, Evelyn Fultz of Huntington and Marilyn Roehm of Winter Haven, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, James of Louisville; and three brothers, Paul, Robert and Scott, all of Fort Wayne. Private burial was Tuesday at Tahoma National Military Cemetery, Kent, Wash. A memorial service to honor and celebrate his life will be planned and held for him this summer in Fort Wayne. Memorial gifts may go to the local hospice organization who attended him with compassionate care these last months of his life: Swedish Home Care Services, 5701 - 6th Ave. South, Suite 404, Seattle, WA 98108-9808.