Robert N. Parsons

Robert Newton Parsons, a Portland resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 30th, 2012, in Milwaukie, Oregon. Mr. Parsons was born in Depew, New York, September 26, 1921. He was the only child of Charles Edward Parsons and Annette Stirrup Parsons. At age 10, the family moved West with their dog, Chubby, and settled in the West Linn area. Mr. Parsons was a graduate of West Linn High School and attended the University of Oregon for three years, where he was president of Cunard House. Mr. Parsons left school to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II. On May 13, 1944, in Independence, Missouri, he married Jeanne Ruth Anastasia Praggastis of Milwaukie, Oregon. They were married for over 57 years when she passed away in 2001.

After enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1943, Mr. Parsons served as a lieutenant in the Pacific Theater and was wounded in the Philippines in 1944. He continued his service through the duration of the war with Japan—including conflict in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa. His Air Group was the first to land on Japan’s mainland after the surrender of Japan in September of 1945. He was awarded a Purple Heart, Air Medal and other recognition for his service during World War II.

After his honorable discharge from the Army Air Corps, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, and son, Richard, moved to Camp Adair, near Corvallis, Oregon, in 1946, where he enrolled in Pharmacy School at Oregon State College (now University). During that time, their second son, John, was born. Mr. Parsons graduated with a degree in Pharmacy in 1950. After graduation, the family moved to Oregon City where he worked as a pharmacist at Harding Drug from 1950 through 1954. Their son, Robert, was born in 1950. Later, in 1954, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons established their own business, Parsons Canby Pharmacy, in Canby, Oregon. This business was well received in Canby and grew beyond the drug store business into an expanded retail store, which included a unique and appealing gift department called, “The Very End”. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons sold this business in the early 1970’s but it operates successfully today and is still called Parsons Canby Pharmacy.

He was involved in the Canby community and elected to the Canby School Board in 1960. He was also co-developer, with his brother-in-law, James Praggastis, of a commercial shopping center in Milwaukie on Thiessen Road, called Westwood Shopping Center, and he owned Westwood Drug for a number of years. Mr. Parsons was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying. He also enjoyed playing golf in his free time.

Mr. and Mrs. Parsons moved to Salishan, at Gleneden Beach on the Oregon Coast, in 1970, where they spent many happy years. It was during that time that both Mr. and Mrs. Parsons developed a strong interest in gemology and both became graduates of the Gemological Institute of America.

In the year 2000, they moved to Portland, Oregon in the Eastmoreland District. A few years after Mrs. Parsons’ death in 2001, Mr. Parsons moved to Willamette View on River Road. There he met Esther Hunt and they were married on January 20, 2007. They were married for four and a half years until she passed away in 2011.

Mr. Parsons is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Richard (Pam) of La Quinta, California, John of Kettle Falls, Washington and Robert (Mary) of Portland, Oregon, step-sons Craig Jeffery Hunt and Louis Daus Hunt, step-daughters, Julie Daus Hunt and Susie Hunt Moran, along with six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Parsons was a patriot; he loved his country and served America honorably during World War II. He was a gentleman, a caring and loving husband and father, a successful and respected businessman and a wonderful example for his children. He was also an avid sports fan, enjoying University of Oregon and Oregon State University athletics and he was a big fan of the Portland Trailblazers. He was thrilled when Oregon won the Rose Bowl on January 2nd.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to The the American Alzheimer’s Association Oregon -

1650 Northwest Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209 Phone 503.416.0201

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 14th, 2012 at Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral home.

Arrangements by Caldwell's, Hennessy, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home. 20 NE 14th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97232