Richard C. Parr

Richard Calvin Parr, 95, of Enola passed away, Friday February 5, 2021 at his home. Rick was born January 17, 1926 to the late Roy J. and Alma I (Ports) Parr of Hanover, PA. He was a graduate of Eichelberger High School class of 1944, where he lettered in track and field. He developed and pursued a lifelong love of flying. During WWII, he served in the Training Command of the Army Air Corps. He later became a commercial pilot with a pilot instructor rating. He co-owned an aviation business located at the Capital City Airport. He was active there in student pilot and commercial pilot instruction, Fire patrols over Pennsylvania’s extensive woodlands, gas pipeline patrols, leasing of aircraft, passenger transport and photographic missions. He earned three pilot proficiency awards from the FAA. For a time, Rick resided in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he was an insurance supervisor in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. Upon return to central Pennsylvania, Rick served as president of a west shore condo and served as its Board of Directors president. He later owned and operated a small business in Mechanicsburg. Upon his retirement, he was on staff on the West Shore YMCA where he instructed swimming until the age of 89. He was still swimming a mile’s distance on a regular basis at that time. Rick was a widower of Audrey Branning Gouse Parr, his wife of 31 years who passed away on September 26, 2015. In June 2016, Rick completed a tandem parachute jump at age 90, becoming member #5 of the Jumpers Over Ninety Society. He is survived by two sons, Richard Christian Parr of Panama, Matthew Roy Parr of Wellsville, and two grandchildren, Jeremy and Sara. He is also survived by four step-children; Benjamin Gouse of Oregon: Christopher Gouse, Gary Gouse and Susan Gouse of Central Pennsylvania and multiple step-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Monday February 22, 2021 at 11:30am in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville,PA. Donations may be made in Ricks name to the Salvation Army 506 S. 29th St. Harrisburg, PA 17104 or Homeland at Home Hospice 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270 Harrisburg, PA 17110

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