Obituary of Robert B. Parker

Dr. Robert B. Parker, 59, of Buck Hill Falls, died on Monday morning, April 7, 2008 as the result of a motor vehicle accident in Coolbaugh Township. He was the husband of Ramona (Fletcher) Parker. Born in Pasedena, California, he was the son of Emily (Bennett) Parker and the late Lee Parker. Dr. Parker attended the University of California at Santa Barbara and began his veterinary career upon graduation, with honors, from the University of California at Davis, CA in 1973. He progressed through postgraduate training as an intern and surgical resident at the Washington State University in Pullman, WA and as a resident in small animal surgery at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, at Davis, California. Dr. Parker was a highly accomplished and distinguished veterinary surgeon. He served as a faculty member in the Department of Surgical Sciences of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida in Gainesville from 1977 to 1996 where he taught hundreds of aspiring veterinary students and dozens of veterinary surgical residents. While a faculty member at the University of Florida, Dr. Parker earned certification as a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, was tenured by the University in 1983, and served as Chief of Small Animal Surgery from 1982 to 1991. He not only taught but also performed thousands of surgical procedures and participated in cutting edge research that significantly advanced his specialty of orthopedics in the field of veterinary surgery. In 1991 a sabbatical year took Dr. Parker to Australia where he also taught and served as a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney. Dr. Parker moved to the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1997 where he held the prestigious position of Chairman of the Department of Surgery for ten years. At the Animal Medical Center, he continued to teach, perform complex surgical procedures, and conduct scholarly research. As was his constant goal, Dr. Parker provided leadership and served as a role model for veterinary surgeons in training. He most recently embarked on a new phase in his career when, in January, he accepted the position of Chief of Surgery at the animal Emergency Clinic of Wyoming Valley in Pittston, Pa. Dr. Parker was an avid golfer and active member of the community of Buck Hill Falls, Pa. A devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Ramona Parker of Buck Hill Falls; mother, Emily Parker of Menifee, CA; daughter, Elizabeth Griseck of Gainesville, FL; sister, Sarah Rhodes of Monrovia, CA; step-sons, Jeff Meloy of Atlanta, GA and Chris Meloy of Palo Alto, CA; grandson, William Meloy of Atlanta, GA; mother-in-law, Billie Paolino of Albuquerque, NM; and two nieces, Allison and Melanie Rhodes. The Reverend Canon Virginia Rex Day of Trinity Episcopal Church in Mt. Pocono will conduct a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2008 at the Bolock Funeral Home, corner of Routes 940 & 390 in Paradise Valley. There will be a visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Cremation was entrusted to the Bolock Funeral Home Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PA SPCA , RR1, Box 1237, Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360