Donald Edward Parker

Donald (Don) Edward Parker

Donald (Don) Edward Parker, son of the late Kenneth Colwell Parker and Florence Wilson Parker, died on January 17, 2016 at the age of 79. Don was born on April 6, 1936 in Chicago, IL. He received his undergraduate degree from DePauw University in 1958 and his Ph.D. in Psychology from Princeton University in 1961. A member of the ROTC in college, he served in the United States Air Force as a captain. During his service, he learned to fly and conducted research on motion sickness. His Air Force service launched his lifelong research focus on the vestibular system and the effects of space travel on human beings. He spent the first part of his career in Oxford, Ohio as Professor of Psychology at Miami University. During his time there, he took a leave of absence to spend three years in Houston working with astronauts at NASA. When Don retired from Miami University in 1992, he moved to Seattle and continued his academic career at the University of Washington, retiring only recently. Don loved the outdoors and spent many happy times hiking and paddling in the Pacific Northwest. He also loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and brothers, especially in the north woods of Wisconsin, where family gatherings were held each summer in Eagle River. He enjoyed swimming in Eagle River's Silver Lake each summer. Don also spent many enjoyable hours in his woodworking shop, creating gifts for his grandchildren and teaching them woodworking skills. He was a wonderful cook. Don especially loved ideas of all kinds; he was never so happy as discussing a scientific advance or arguing a political point.

Don is survived by Sharon Parker, his wife of 28 years, four children from his first marriage, Katherine Parker Grichnik (James), Susan Parker Bodine (David), Geoffrey Goodrich Parker (Debra), Rebecca Parker Brienen (Marten), his stepdaughter Shannon Ptacek, and his eight grandchildren, Matthew, Christopher, Steven, Sarah, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Alice, and Evalyn. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert and James Parker. His first wife, Lynn Goodrich Parker, predeceased him in 1986. He will be deeply missed by all.

Arrangements are being made by Butterworth & Arthur A. Wright Chapel of Seattle. A memorial service will be held there at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday January 23. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Ballard Food Bank, where Don volunteered for many years. Ballard Food Bank 5130 Leary Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107. 205 789 7800. http://www.ballardfoodbank.org/