Bruce Whiteman Parker

On June 1, Bruce Parker died peacefully after a long struggle with a progressive neuromuscular disease. He was born on July 31, 1934, the younger of two sons of Dr. Carlisle K. Parker and Louise W. Parker. Bruce grew up in South Bend, IN and was a sports enthusiast from an early age. He played basketball and baseball in high school, and he and his brother, Carl, enjoyed many summer weekends racing their 16-foot sailboat in southern Michigan, winning more than a few trophies.

After high school, he enrolled at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, where he met the love of his life, Janet Allen. Bruce studied Biology and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Following graduation in 1956, he enrolled at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. He and Janet were married on June 16, 1957, in Janet's hometown, Bedford, IN. After medical school, he completed an Ophthalmology residency at Northwestern. During these years, Janet and Bruce were blessed by the births of 3 children, Andy (1960), Tom (1963), and Nancy (1966). Following his medical training, Bruce spent two years of service in the Navy, stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base.

Largely because of Nancy's childhood asthma, the family moved to Albuquerque in 1968 where he began the ophthalmology practice where he would work for the next 3o+ years. The move was beneficial for Nancy, who thrived in the dry climate until she succumbed, tragically, to a severe asthma attack during her sophomore year at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL in 1986.

After his retirement, Bruce and Janet enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Angel Fire, NM and traveling both domestically and internationally. Highlights included trips to Hawaii (50th anniversary), Kenya, and Europe. Bruce is survived by Janet, his wife of 64 years, his sons Andy and Tom and their wives, Kathleen, and Lynn, and four wonderful grandchildren, Caroline (29), Andrew (26), Will (23), and Kevin (22).

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque on a yet to be determined date in September. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Nancy L. Parker Scholarship Fund at Rollins College or First Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque.