In Loving Memory of
David E. Parker
September 26, 1932 – June 18, 2025
Virtual Memorial Gathering
Sunday, September 21, 2025
1:30 PM PT / 2:30 PM MT / 3:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM ET
David E. Parker Obituary
David Ela Parker passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, in San Diego, California. He was born on September 26, 1932, in Long Meadow, Massachusetts, the second of three sons born to his parents Doria Mae (Ela) and (George) Lloyd Parker.
In addition to his beloved wife Dorothy, David is survived by many nieces, nephews and an extended family that stretches from coast to coast. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Richard Sumner Parker (1930-2011) and Kenneth Lloyd Parker (1937-2016), as well as his cousin Norris Theodore Ela, Jr. (1931-2016), who joined the boisterous family following the death of his sea-captain father when Dave was 11.
David graduated from Springfield Tech High School in 1950 and then earned a B.A. in philosophy from Brown University in 1954, a Master of Arts in psychology from Wesleyan University in 1963, and a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California Berkeley in 1972. While at Berkeley he met Dorothy Lundquist, whom he married on November 24, 1971.
From 1954 to 1957, David served in the education section of the 87th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. army in Aschaffenburg, Germany. In that capacity he helped many soldiers obtain General Educational Development (GED) degrees. Later, he worked as a clinical psychologist, first in several locations in California’s Bay Area and then with the Division of Clinical Services of the State of Wisconsin, where he retired as the Chief Psychologist at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution in Oshkosh, WI. After retirement, he was in private practice for several years.
David and Dorothy lived on Lake Winnebago in Oshkosh, WI, for 26 years before moving to La Jolla, CA, in 1997. They also spent one year in India, two year-long stints in Switzerland, and several months in Germany.
David sailed single-handed in the Bahamas for six months in 1979. While living in India, he made two long treks into the high Himalayas. He and Dorothy also hiked the Alps, Andes, Rockies, Appalachians, and Sierra Nevada mountains. He enthusiastically enjoyed music, theatre, rollerblading, ice skating, scuba diving, sailboarding and skiing. In fact, he skied until he was 88, in the company of a close and loyal set of ski buddies.
All who knew David enjoyed his inquisitive mind, his encyclopedic knowledge of varied subjects, and his good humor. His family especially remembers listening to his extensive storytelling of family history and hearing his warm, irresistible laugh.
David was the Treasurer and an insightful discussion group member of the San Diego Independent Scholars. He also participated actively in several secular and Zen-based meditation groups.
Donations in David’s memory can be made to Bright Futures, an educational scholarship fund for employees or children of employees in the senior living facility where David received superb care during the last four years. Contact the non-profit San Diego Foundation at https://www.sdfoundation.org or (619) 235-2300 and indicate Bright Futures.
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David was always kind and welcoming. He put people at their ease. Without him the world is a colder place.
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I met David when he and Dorothy moved into the Vi. He walked in Doyle Park. Four times around was a full Hernacki. When we would pass each other, we’d comment on whether we did a quarter, half, or full Hernacki. His smile lit up the room.
My heart is with Dorothy.
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My condolences! May he be joyous where he is.
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It is our good fortune to have met Dorothy and Dave. Dave was such a
friendly and interesting person to talk to. We miss his presence. In the
meantime we wish all the best to Dorothy.
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I hope the memories of his life are a blessing to those who loved him
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I wish I had the opportunity to know Dave but the beautiful stories I have heard about him from Dorothy sound like he was a wonderful friend, adventurer and a devoted husband . I am so sorry to Dorothy and Dave’s family and friends for his loss. May his memory be a blessing always.
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Sadly, I met Dorothy late in life and never got to know David. That said, my respect and admiration for Dorothy is such that I was deeply moved when she told me, “David would have liked you.” What an amazing ride the two of you must have had!
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So very thankful for all the memories, fun, laughter, delightful misadventures, love and support from my uncle Dave…
Colin, Alana, Jonny, and Sailor
Friday Harbor, WA
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Jane and I met Dorothy and David for dinner at the Summer House Inn in La Jolla in 2018. It was the first time we had met David, and while we looked out at the beauty of La Jolla, he regaled us with his stories of grand adventures sailing, hiking, and traveling. His wonderful smile, enthusiasm, and joie de vivre made a deep impression on us. We left feeling jealous of the wonderful and rich life he and Dorothy had led. In no time, we became friends, given our mutual connection with the San Diego Independent Scholars group.
We love and miss him.
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We miss him.
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It was our pleasure to get to know David at Vi. He was always such a pleasant man. We were happy to see him at Vi events with Dorothy.
Flossie and Tony Riesner
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We (Kris and Pat) became friends with Dave and Dorothy while Kris was her graduate student at U/W-Oshkosh. We fondly remember Dave’s effervescent personality, delightful wit, and zest for life’s many adventures. He seemed to inhabit life to its fullest. It’s been a few years since we hiked the Ladders near Palm Springs with Dave and Dorothy, but we do recall that it was hard to keep up with the guy! Our deepest sympathy sent to Dorothy and his entire family. He will be missed by the many who knew him.
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Dear Dorothy,
I’m so sorry about David’s death. I remember well joining you and him for one of the Vi lunches in the South Tower courtyard. I was pleased to meet him then.
My condolences to you and your family,
Marilyn O’Hair
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A Great Guy !
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I have been a resident of Vi at La Jolla Village Retirement Home; David and I faithfully attended a monthly “Neuroscience Study Group”, under the direction of fellow resident, Dr. Beatrice Rose. David, at that time lived outside the Vi, but faithfully attended the meetings, removing his shoes outside the door, as all Members, as all members were required to do.
David shared his academic knowledge of Science and many life experiences, sometimes to the exasperation of Dr. Bea Rose, but we all loved David and we still do. He was exceptional and known for his love of hiking, exercise and skiing, and I shared his final hours of life in Vi’s Memory Support Department, with his loving wife Dorothy.
We will always miss Davie,
Elizabeth Snowden
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I had the pleasure of traveling to South Africa with Dorothy and Dave in 2016 where we went on a safari together in Kruger National Park along with my husband, Dick who arrived in Cape Town after a research cruise.. It was a wonderful trip and I am glad I had the chance to get to know them both better.
Unfortunately we will not be able to attend the zoom memorial for Dave
(we will be attending a memorial the same day for Dick’s mom).
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I was saddened and shocked to hear about David’s passing. My late husband Ralph and I met David and Dorothy Parker shortly after they arrived in La Jolla. Ralph and Dorothy shared common interests in unicellular algae. We met fairly regularly and took a trip to Spain by car together in 2002, visiting Granada, Cordoba, Valencia, Seville, etc. before attending an International Symposium on Applied Phycology at a small coastal city hardly visited by tourists. There were many wonderful memories to share. Sadly we drifted apart after Ralph passed away in 2008 but their warm friendship remained in my thoughts..
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In the dozen or so years that we knew David we first appreciated his leadership positions in SDIS and his role in co-leading, with Dorothy, the highly successful discussion group, Supper with scholars, where his good humor and intellectual curiosity were on full display. Later on as we became friends with David and Dorothy, we also got to appreciate his adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors. He was a great guy and we remember him fondly. We express again our condolences and warm regards to Dorothy.
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Unfortunately I am unable to attend the virtual memorial for David Parker.
Gail Nelles
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Rest in peace, Uncle Dave – may your memory be eternal.
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David was a lovely, happy man who obviously loved life . I am very happy to have had the opportunity to get to know him a bit!
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Dave was a wonderful friend and ski buddy of mine from about 2004 until his last trip in 2022 or 23. He lived and skied with joyful abandon and will be missed.
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David was a long time member of our weekly meditation group. His hearty laugh and contrarian views were always a wonderful addition. David loved to share about his and Dorothy’s many camping experiences and their joy at getting away from the crowds and noise of San Diego.
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Dear Dorothy, Sorry for your loss
May he rest in peace
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I remember David fondly, a regular contributor to our compassionate heart sangha. His laughter was contagious. Holding Dorothy and his family in my meditations
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I am glad to have known Dave.