Robert H. Parsons

November 15, 1929 ~ September 4, 2015
Robert H. Parsons, 85, died Friday evening, September 4, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Affectionately known as Bob, he was the husband of E. Marilyn (Watkins) Parsons, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.
Bob was born in Woburn on November 15, 1929. He was the son of the late James and Ellen Parsons. Because of the early death of his mother in 1936, he spent five years with the New England Home for the Little Wanderers. He came to Danvers in the seventh grade and graduated from Holten High School in 1947. He was president of his class and a varsity athlete. He continued his education at Northeastern University, graduating in 1952. In 1960 he received his Master’s Degree in Education from Salem State College.
Bob was a Korean War veteran who enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of 1952. After graduating from the officer training program at Fort Benning Infantry he went on to the Armor School at Fort Knox, KY.
He returned to Danvers in 1955 and as a 1st Lt., joined the U.S. Army Reserve program. HE spent 25 years in the Army reserves and retired in 1980 as a colonel. He was the Commandant of the 1037th USAR School at the Boston army base from 1976-1980. He was also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
In civilian life, he was a teacher, guidance counselor, assistance principal, and housemaster at Danvers High School. He retired in 1988 after 33 years as an educator. He enjoyed working in education and always spoke highly of the faculty with whom he worked. He felt all of the Danvers kids were great and a pleasure to associate with both in and out of school.
In retirement, he pursued his hobby of collecting and dealing in antique bottles. He was the first president and treasurer of the Violin Bottle Collectors Association of America. He owned the original molds of the violin and banjo bottles and had bottles made at Pairpoint Crystal Glass Co. on Cape Cod. He sold his bottles via newsletters throughout the US and Canada.
He was very proud of his family. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert Jr. and his wife Brenda of Danvers and Bradley and his wife Lisa of Kensington, NH, two daughters, Lauren Irving of Danvers and Tracey O’Leary of Salem. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, all of whom he loved and enjoyed: Ben, Alison, and Matt Irving, Meredyth and Robert Parsons, John, Derek, and Brady O’Leary, and Camden and Brook Parsons.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 10AM in the All Saints Episcopal Church, Holten & Cherry Sts., Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be private. Visiting Hours are Wednesday from 4-8PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert Parsons Memorial Scholarship, c/o Bank of America, 81 Elm St., Danvers, MA 01923.
I remember Mr Parsons from Danvers High. I graduated in 1968. He was a teacher and my councelor. I remember him as a very caring person. He was great asset for Danvers High Students. Always there to help any student that needed help. I have fond memories of the councel meetings I had through my high school years. He was so understanding with the concerns I had thru my teenage years… Thank You Mr. Parsons!
I send healing prayers out to his friends and family. He will be missed by many.
Lit a candle in memory of Robert H. Parsons
Lit a candle in memory of Robert H. Parsons
Very sad to learn of Mr. Parson’s passing. He was the Assistant Principal at DHS when I was there and was always a very professional and dedicated educator who was good with is kids. When my class dedicated our yearbook to him we stated that he was a ” good guy with the bad guy’s job.” My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Mary Ambrose Dumais
DHS. 1972
I knew Bob both as a student and as a colleque. He was always humble, caring and had a great beautiful smile. I also used to run into him once in a while at Lakeview Golf Course. He will be remembered by many as he make a great mark in his life’s journey.
Rest well Bob. Charlie Blute DHS 59
Lit a candle in memory of Robert H. Parsons
My deepest condolences to Mr. Parson’s famiy. I was a graduate of the class of 1970. My most vivid memory of him is how unflappable he seemed to be. I never remember him losing his cool. He was as my mom would say a “gentle” man. RIP .
He was such a nice man. We will miss his smiling face coming in to mail his violin bottles at the Post Office.
I was not an easy kid to deal with in high school and he tried very hard to talk and reason with me and was a patient man. I am sorry for your loss.
We’re very sorry for your loss. We have great memories of Bob
and you Marilyn. I have some of his violin bottles that will keep his memory alive. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…………Bob and Glenda Supino
Prayers are lifted to the Parson family from the Tipert’s ……… Andrea
Condolences to the family….I remember a great guy…sorry for your loss
Lit a candle in memory of Robert H. Parsons
Marilyn,
I was very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My prayers go out to you and your family. He surely will be missed by all that knew him.
Marsha Urbanski Walor
Decades after graduating in ’73 every time I bumped into Mr. Parsons at the post office or him on his walks, he’d always stop to say hello, and he always remembered my name, as he did for the thousands of DHS people. Mr. Parsons was an amazing man, rest in peace.
I worked with Bob for many years and taught some of his children. He was always a gentleman and shared a mutual respect with his staff and students. He was always patient and never flustered no matter the event. My condolences to all the family.
Marilyn Hazel, Teacher
Bob was a great person. He was very helpful and I remember the dedication and unwavering enthusiasm towards student concerns. My condolences to your family 🌺
I was a difficult kid when Mr. Parsons had to deal with me and he was always level headed and patient with my antics. May he rest in peace.
Bob “Madman” Letourneau
Lit a candle in memory of Robert H. Parsons
I graduated in ’69 and returned after college as a teacher. I was lucky enough to have him as my Housemaster. He was always so nice and pleasant.
I was the temp admin for the All Saints Episcopal Chuurch in Danvers for 4 months this summer, Bob would come in everyday and check in on me and see how I was doing. We became fast friends, he shared many stories of working at the school. He always brought a smile and a laugh. I’m so blessed to have known him for the time I did. I will miss him.
Bob was the best boss I ever had teaching at DHS. He cared not only for his students, but also for his colleagues. He had a special way of disciplining students. He also supported his teachers while being one of them. He was a great man and I offer my sympathy to Marilyn and the family.
Jim Sellers, Teacher
Lit a candle in memory of Robert H. Parsons
Marilyn and Family, We are so sorry for your loss, out thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family
Don and Donna Yeaton
Marilyn and family, We lived next door to you for many years and I worked at Danvers High School where Mr. Parsons was my supervisor. We all send our condolences and want you to know our prayers are with you. Bob was a kind ,considerate and compassionate man. Kathy Amico and Family
I’m going to share a secret. I got sent to the Principal’s office once. Lauren and I were close friends. When I went in, Mr. Parsons asked me if I was coming to dinner with the family that Friday. I told him yes. I never got in trouble at school, again. He was a lovely human being. His passing is a great loss. His life is a subtle tribute to the kids who needed a little nudging and, dare I say it? A little love. My heart hurts.
My two dogs and I will miss our early morning walks with Lilly and Mr. Parsons. He was such a lovely man. He always had me laughing. I will surely get a smile on my face at the many funny things he said~ every time I walk by. My deepest condolences go out to Mrs. Parsons, his Children and his Grandchildren. Rest in Peace Mr. Parsons.
Your friend,
Tamara Strong
Mr Parsons was a great man, did so much for so many… As both a DHS graduate of 1983 & a distant relative, my sincere condolences to his family & friends.
Thanks for your comment Bob. I couldn’t have said it any better. He was awesome for the way he dealt with the likes of me.
One day while delivering his mail thirty years after High School I re-introduced myself to Mr. Parsons and, even after all I put him through back in the day, he still managed to smile when he realized who I was saying “I remember you”. He was right up there with the best of the best.
My condolences to the Parsons Family.
I never saw this man frown! Four years in the same building, and I never saw a negative look on Mr Parson’s face. He was one of the most level gentleman I’ve known. He was a rare breed!
Danvers HS was fortunate to have him as a major component.
What a wonderful man Don was. He was my house master in 1981 at the high school. Great guy. So sorry for your loss.
Bob and family, I am very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I was fortunate to have had him as my housemaster. He was a true gentleman. A very kind, honest and fair man. May he rest in eternal peace.
Nancy Fitzgerald Doherty