WAYLAND: Robert A. “Bob” Parker, 74, a retired Wayland Police Department Sergeant died peacefully at his residence in Wayland on November 9, 2018.
He was born on January 10, 1944 in Waltham the son of the late Harold H. Parker and Gladys E. (Mielkie) Parker.
Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Elizabeth C. “Betty” Parker of Wayland. Beloved father of Gregory Otis Parker of Wayland and Dawn E. Parker and her husband Shaun K. Nason of Marlborough. Cherished grandfather of Parker H.R. Holcomb and Tucker A.O. Holcomb of Marlborough. Brother-in-law of Rev. Karen Parker of San Jose, CA. Uncle of Bryce Parker and his wife Anne Parker of Denver, CO; Lance Parker and his wife Leona Parker of Spanaway, WA and Trent Parker and his wife Jenny Parker of San Jose. CA. Brother of the late Donald A. Parker.
Bob has been a resident of Wayland for over 50 years and spent his formative years in Lexington. He was a graduate of Lexington High School with the Class of 1962. Upon graduation, he entered in to the United States Army and served during the Vietnam Era as an SP5.
Sergeant Parker spent his entire career as a member of the Wayland Police Department. He served with the Wayland Auxiliary Police Department from 1965 – 1969 and served as Auxiliary Police Chief until his retirement. At that time, the Wayland Auxiliary Police was considered the most professional Auxiliary Police Unit in the Commonwealth. In 1970, he was appointed a full-time police officer on the Wayland Police department and in 1983, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In 1999, Bob retired from the Wayland Police Department. During his tenure with the police department, he continued to take courses in police and law enforcement studies. He spent many years as a close mentor to several of the younger police officers as they joined the department and began their journey through the ranks. Many of the officers that Bob mentored have gone on to be Chiefs of Police, State Police Officers and Command staff, with a number of them working for Federal agencies. Bob has positively impacted hundreds of officers over the years.
He was well known for the meticulous “putting green” lawn that he maintained at his Wayland residence and for always having Jose the Donkey in a New England sports team outfit. He loved all of the Boston sports teams and was an avid reader, especially of history.
One of Bob’s favorite events was the Wolcott Vermont Annual “Guys” Weekend which started as a 3-day officer training event. This year’s event, held this past September, was the 30th anniversary.
He was a loving, devoted and caring husband, father and grandfather and they all were the center of his life. If you were lucky enough to have been loved, mentored or respected by Bob, it was a true blessing to cherish.
At the request of his family, there will be no funeral home visitations. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (off Rte. 30), Wayland. Interment will follow in the Parker family lot in North Cemetery in Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, his family kindly suggests that memorial gifts in Sergeant Robert A. Parker’s memory may be sent to the Wayland Police Assoc., 38 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778; the Wayland Fire Dept. Gift Account (which benefits the community); c/o Chief David Houghton’s office, 38 Cochituate Rd, Wayland, MA 01778 or to the Wolcott Vermont Volunteer Fire Dept, PO BOX 132, Wolcott, VT 05680.