Dr. Robert L. Parr

Dr. Robert L. Parr, 80, Sheridan, passed away Thursday, Sept. 19, 2003. A doctor of Pediatrics and Epidemiology, he retired in 1989. He attended Butler University and Franklin & Marshall College, from where he received his B.S. Degree in 1945. He received his Medical Degree from Indiana University in 1947. After graduation he served his internship at the former Indianapolis General Hospital. He also served at Willard Parker Hospital for contagious disease, Roosevelt Hospital for pediatrics and Cornell University all of New York. He was admitted to the American Board of Pediatrics in 1955 and practiced in Indianapolis until his retirement. Since his retirement, he has been a Consultant to the World Health Organization, Expanded Programme Immunization and Polio Eradication Initiative in Geneva, Switzerland. While in private practice, Dr. Parr was also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine and was the athletic and school physician for Butler University from 1955-1970. In 1957 he was the Chairman of the Polio Vaccination Drive for the city of Indianapolis. This was the first national mass immunization program, and he received the Jaycee National Award. He served the state, as well as several other nations, including Switzerland, Pakistan and Brazil in various positions relating to epidemiology. He and Mrs. Parr also served as medical missionaries in Nepal, China, Uganda and Kenya. He was in the 1952 Epidemic Intelligence Service Class and served as a Research Virologist at Yale University until 1954. Dr. Parr was a member and on the Board of Elders at Fairview Presbyterian Church, was also a member of the Indianapolis Downtown Rotary Club, where he was involved in their PolioPlus campaign. He was a member of the Marion County Medical Society, Indiana State Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Mystic Tie Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine. He was in the alumni associations of Cornell University, Indiana University, Butler University and the National Phi Delta Theta Association. Dr. Parr has served as a director on and chairman of numerous boards and had several medical studies published. A winter resident of Florida, Dr. Parr is also a member of the Suburban-West Rotary Club, Perdido Bay Country Club and the Mustin Officer's Club all in Pensacola. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Fairview Presbyterian Church. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 in Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center- Carmel. Burial will be in the Parr-Richardson Cemetery. Survivors include: his wife of 55 years, Geraldine Moore Parr; children, Rev. Catherine Parr Jefferson, R. Lowell Parr, III, Susan Parr Szabo, Timothy H. Parr; grandchildren, Andrew Jefferson, Matthew Parr Jefferson, Cara Jefferson, R. Lowell, IV, Graham and Josiah Parr; step-grandchildren, Candi Blowe and Lindsay Szabo; 3 great grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchildren; and brother, James N. Parr. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Robert L. Parr Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home. Contributions will be dispersed to Dr. Parr's designated charities.