Charles Robert (Bob) Parks
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Funeral services for Charles Robert (Bob) Parks, 93, Lawrence, KS, formerly of Topeka, KS, will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. A burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka. Bob passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023.
Bob was born on July 12, 1929, in Osage City, KS, the son of James Thomas and Elnora May (Goldsmith) Parks. He spent his youth in various towns across Colorado and Kansas as his father worked as a section foreman for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Bob was happy when his family settled in Utica, KS, where he completed the 5th through 12th grades. After graduating from Utica High School in 1947, he studied one year at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, then returned to Utica to work full-time as a “gandy dancer” on the railroad.
During the Korean War, he was drafted into the US Army and reported for basic training at Fort Riley in March of 1951. While on active duty, Bob served as a medical clerk at a US radio monitoring base in Asmara, Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa. He attained the rank of Sergeant prior to his honorable discharge in February of 1953.
Later that year, Bob enrolled at the University of Kansas. Supported by the GI Bill, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in January of 1957. After graduating, he immediately accepted a teaching position in Ellsworth, KS. This launched a life-long career as a mathematics educator. He moved to Topeka in 1959 to teach at Capper Junior High School. While at Capper, he returned to the University of Kansas, earning his Master of Education degree in 1965. Bob accepted a teaching position at Topeka West High School in 1968, where he remained until his retirement in 1991.
Bob greatly enjoyed time with his family, often sharing tales of his youth and military service. He was an avid KU basketball fan and enjoyed cheering for the KC Royals.
Bob married Betty Jean Hayward on August 15, 1951, in Junction City, KS. She died September 2,1972.
He married Barbara Howey on December 22, 1973, in Topeka, KS. She survives at home.
Other survivors include his children: Cynthia (Bill) Gerstmyer; Rebecca Richmond; Jeffrey (Lynn) Stone; Laurie (Loren) Kallenbach; brother Leonard Parks; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Cynthia Stone; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Pat Parks, Hank Holmes, Louise Woods, Kenny Parks, and Marvin Parks; son Gregory Stone; and son-in law Brad Richmond.
The family suggests memorials in Bob’s name to Disabled American Veterans and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Laurie, Loren and family so for your loss.
So sorry for your loss. All of Bob’s family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Thomas and Florence Holmes
I had fond memories of Mr. Parks as my math teacher at Capper. Most of his students called him Pinky, I never new why.
So sorry for your loss, Laurie!
To the family of Mr Bob Parks , I sending heartfelt prayers and condolences Bob was a teaching colleague at Topeka West. We continually played jokes on each other. I used to hide his chalk so he wouldn’t have any to teach with or I replace it with all colored chalk and he would always put KU material in my desk drawers He was an outstanding teacher but an even better person. It was awesome calling him a friend and colleague. Mike Goehring
I had the pleasure of being one of Mr. Parks’ Algebra II students at Topeka West HS. He was always patient with those of us who found mathematics a challenge; he would always explain a concept as many times as was necessary for us to grasp it. When I had some health issues during second semester and missed several weeks of school, Mr. Parks always found time to help catch me up. When he signed my yearbook at the end of that year, he said, “I like the way you hung in there…”. Although I only had him for one course in my four years of HS, he was one of those teachers I remembered fondly long after my school days were through. He instilled in me a long-term appreciation for mathematics which over the years has grown into a hobby. Mr. Parks also had a way of integrating life lessons in with his math lectures. I remember that one of the first things he said at the beginning of the year was how important it was to make good decisions in life. Several years ago, I happened to run into him at the grocery store here in Topeka. He was still getting around very well and we had a nice yet all-too-brief chat. I am truly saddened to learn of his passing and I would like to express my condolences to his family at this time. He was a great educator and a great man.
I spent many many hours in the Parks home as child – playing with Bob’s daughter Laurie. He drove us to dance classes, the skating rink, the swimming pool, the mall and countless other places, and never seemed to mind when we turned his basement into our own dance studio, arcade, and movie theater. Bob and Barbara were like a second set of parents to me through my childhood. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Remembering Mathematics with Mr. Parks at Topeka West! What a patient educator he was — especially with all of the rowdy High Schoolers he was trying to educate. He did such a wonderful job, and I’ve used many of the things he taught me in real life, contrary to my beliefs when I was ‘one’ of those rowdy High Schoolers (that I’d never use any of this ‘math stuff’). I also remember how he would calmly, not changing the pitch or flow of his voice, take the long wooden ruler/straight edge and carefully place it flat on the wooden table and then flex it a couple of times, then pulling it back and letting it go ‘snap’! This would result in whichever student had decided to fall asleep in class, to suddenly wake up. Once we realized what he was doing, it was pretty funny and it worked every time! Thanks Mr. Parks for helping prepare me for life!
I just learned of this sad news. Mr. Parks was my math teacher at Capper & was excellent, & so kind & patient. He also had a great sense of humor which you needed to have with kids, even back then! I remember them (not me) hiding his silver chalk holder… crazy.
Barbara, I am sorry to have lost touch with you & Bob. I always enjoyed our friendship & chats over the years!
All my best to you & your family!