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Dr. Frederick C. Parrish Jr. (1933-2012)

PARRISH, HAMMONDS, WATTENBERG, BROSNAHAN, SCHICI, KRUEGER, FENNEDY, GRUCHALLA, BAXTER, COPE, MOORE, HAWKINS, MURRAY, VINCENT, WESTERMAN, WOLBERG

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/15/2012 at 23:02:50

From McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Cremation Center obituary, Troy, Missouri:

Dr. Frederick C. Parrish Jr. passed away on Aug. 27,2012 in Columbia,Mo. He was born on July 18,1933 in Olney,Mo., a son of Frederick C. and Georgiana Hammonds Parrish. He received his education in Missouri, graduating from Buchanan High School,Troy,MO. and later at the University of Missouri,Columbia. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1959,Master of Science in 1960,and a PhD. in 1965. Dr. Parrish was appointed to the faculty of Iowa State University in 1965, F.C. Parrish embarked on a storied and respected career that would ultimately encompass 37 years of contributions to his beloved business of meat science. Promoted through the ranks at ISU (Associate Professor in 1969 and Professor in 1976) F.C. worked in the spirit of the Land Grant University mission by offering quality research, teaching, and outreach activities that literally touched thousands of lives. In 1995, Dr. Parrish was appointed the coveted title of University Professor.

With a research program focused on fresh meat quality and including work in beef,pork, and lamb, F.C. mentored numerous undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students seeking to make their own marks on the meats industry. A beloved teacher, Dr. Parrish paired his extensive knowledge of meat science with an exciting classroom presence that produced well educated advocates and consumers of meat products. His teaching style and willingness to mentor left a lasting impression on students at all levels and this energy spilled over into their careers and educators.

Likely, one of the most cherished aspects of F.C. Parrish’s career was his leadership and coaching within the Collegiate Meats Judging Teams of Iowa State University. His program was respected, decorated, and his efforts rewarded with a lifetime of memories, friendships, and travels rarely afforded an individual. Giving back to the program he and Fern loved, F.C. established the Regional Iowa State University Invitational Meats Judging Contest and later an endowment to support the Meat Judging program at ISU.

Dr. Parrish valued an attitude of service to the meats industry as he provided many leadership roles including Director and President of the American Meat Association. F.C. was honored numerous times for his efforts in research, teaching , and service. These awards included the Distinguished Research, Teaching, and Signal Service Awards from the American Meat Science Association and the Distinguished Research and Teaching Awards from the American Society of Animal Science. Never one to rest on his laurels, Dr. Parrish continued to mentor, write, and advise in the role of Professor Emeritus throughout his retirement years. His contributions to an important American industry are certainly numerous and Dr. F.C. Parrish will most likely be remembered for his lifelong mantra of “Motor up and move out with vigor!”

F.C. Parrish served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. He was involved in many service organizations during his lifetime including Kiwanis serving a Kiwanis International Lt. Govenor, Gideons,City of Nevada, Iowa Councilman. He enjoyed the Performing Arts as a member of the quartet of “Three Docs and a Digger”.

He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and organized church softball leading to city and state championships as pitcher wearing No. 33 for his birth year. On June 7,1953 in Bellflower,MO., F.C. Parrish was united in marriage with Fern Rose Westerman. To this union were born 4 children: Deborah June, Randall Douglas, Rhonda Lea, and Richard Brent. F. C. farmed with his family raising Duroc hogs until entering the U.S. Army and served 18 months in Korea and Hawaii. He then returned to farming and later entered the University of Mo. in Jan. 1956. F. C. and his family later moved to Ames,Iowa. He was a faculty member of the Iowa State University for 37 years. F. C. retired in 2001.

Surviving are his beloved wife:Fern Rose Parrish of the home in Columbia: 4 children: Deborah June (Gene) Wattenberg of Overland Park,KS, Randall Douglas (Debbie Sue) Parrish of Cincinnati,OH, Rhonda Lea (Chris) Brosnahan of Lebanon,OH, and Richard Brent Parrish of Olney,MO.; Grandchildren:Megan Marie (Rich) Schici of Lombard,IL,Sarah Elizabeth Parrish of Iowa City,IA, Will Wattenberg of Overland Park,KS, Virginia Rose Brosnahan of Lebanon,OH, Benjamin Charles Parrish of Cincinnati,OH, Thomas Charles Brosnahan of Lebanon,OH., Victoria Lea Brosnahan of Lebanon,OH; great grandchild: Connor Michael Schici of Lombard,IL; one brother: Joe (Kay) Parrish of Springfield,MO; and a special cousin: Ron & Ruth Krueger of Cornelius,N.C. He is further survived by three aunts:Georgia Fennedy of Troy, Anna Mae Parrish of O’Fallon,MO. and Genii Gruchalla.; 6 sisters-in-law:Eileen (Dean) Baxter of Columbia,MO,Faye (Dan) Cope of Columbia,MO, Patricia Moore of New Haven,MO, Peggy (Charles) Hawkins of Franklin,TN, Reba Murray of Wentzville,MO, and Rachel (Don) Vincent of Truxton,MO; one brother-in-law: Richard Westerman of Montgomery City,MO.; nieces & nephews;many other relatives & friends. F.C. was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters-in-law: LaVonna (Bonnie) Parrish and Paula Wolberg.

The funeral service to be held at 10 a.m., Wed, Sept. 5,2012 at the McCoy Blossom Funeral Home, Troy,MO. Officiating will be Rev. Jack Chemin. Interment will follow in the Olney Cemetery, Olney,MO.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, memorial contributions may be made to: American Meat Science Association, F.C. Parrish Mentor Recognition Fund – Make checks payable to: AMSA Foundation, P.O. Box 2187, Champaign, IL 61825 or to the F.C. and Fern Parrish Meat Judging Team Coaching Endowment – Make checks payable to Iowa State University Foundation, 2505 University Blvd., P.O. Box 2230 Ames, IA 50010-2230.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tues, Sept. 4,2012 at the McCoy-Blossom Funeral Home, 1304 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379 – Te. (636) 528-8244.

Family and friends may sign the on-line guest register at www.mccoyblossomfh.com

http://http://www.mccoyblossomfh.com/fh/home/home.cfm?&fh_id=10842
 

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