Obituary of Robert H. Parrish

Pastor Robert H. Parrish, 79, passed into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 20, 2016. He was a resident of Columbiana, OH since 2013, while Stow was his hometown for 56 years. Robert graduated from Stow High School in 1956. Robert received his Master of Divinity from Wheaton (IL) College in 1974 and has served as a pastor at Clearview Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Castleton, New York and more recently at Silver Center Bible Church in Kent, OH. He was an active member of the Stow Alliance Fellowship church. His foremost purpose in life became to challenge and encourage all people to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Lord of Life and History. With this motivation in mind, upon retirement in 1999, he authored the second edition of the Destiny of Freedom-Wake up America (2001). This writing of 25 years of experiences and challenges to God’s people will always remain a legacy to his family and future generations, his friends, and co-workers, and to all citizens of his beloved homeland, America—until Jesus Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Bob graduated from the University of Akron with a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1962 and became a life-long engineering writer and author. While employed at S.D. Myers, INC, he co-authored A Guide to Transformer Maintenance. As a result, he was elevated to a Senior Member status of IEEE in 1982. In 2007 he was privileged to become a Life Senior Member. Bob retired from Aircraft Braking Systems, Akron with 18 years of service in 1999. Among his many avocations, he was an avid runner, gardener, Stow Athletic Booster club participant, author of numerous letters to the editor, social activist for over 50 years, and a lifetime Tribe fan. He was honored to be elected to Stow City Council and considered a privilege to serve with his former teacher, Larry Saltis. Bob was born Jan 16, 1937 in Berwyn, IL. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Charles Parrish; mother, H. Wendy Jones; and granddaughter, Madison Olivia Parrish-Cobb. He is survived by his faithful and loving wife of 51 years, Vida Bernice Parrish. He is also survived by his three children and spouses; Tammy (Chuck) Martin, Cindy (James) Cobb and Mark (Mic) Parrish. Bob has been blessed with four remaining grandchildren, Charles Martin II, Rebekah Martin, Michael Cobb, and Maayan Parrish. A great-grandchild, Gadsen Martin is due in September. Pastor John Cervone will conduct a memorial service Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 3 p.m. at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Rd., Stow and where friends may call from 1 p.m. until service time. As per his request, Bob desires that his memorial service be a celebration of life and not the mourning of his death. His wish was that everything be casual and that no ties be worn.