George Parkins

George Parkins was extremely intelligent, always interested in learning and became very successful professionally during his life. George was a kind and committed father and husband. He lived his life as a man with high integrity.

George Parkins died on February 9, 2017 at the age of 86.

George was born on October 8, 1930 in New York City to his parents Rose and George Parkins Sr. He had a rather difficult childhood growing up during the Great Depression. George's mother was sent away to be treated for Tuberculosis and he moved 18 times when he was a child, but George did not let that set him back.

George joked that as a young man, he signed up for the military by accident, but it became one of the pivotal moments in his life. He used to say it straightened him out and gave him direction in life. It gave him the discipline he needed and taught him that he was smart, which carried him through the rest of his life.

George was a radio operator during the Korean War. Through the military, he went to Russian language school in Monterey, California. He was then stationed on the East German border during the war doing what was known as "signals intelligence"- listening to Russian military operations. George finished his time in the army as a corporal.

The GI Bill paid for George to go to college, and he made the most of this opportunity. George got a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from New York University. During his time at NYU as an undergraduate, George was awarded with the prestigious Founder's Day Award. He was one of NYU's top students graduating that year. After receiving his bachelor's degree, George worked on the navigation systems for rockets at the Martin Marietta space program in Colorado. He then went back to school to get a master's and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from NYU as well.

George met his wife Cathleen (Cathy) when they were in an English class together at St. John's University in New York. On September 8, 1956, they were happily married in Long Island, New York. George and Cathy were opposites in a lot of ways as one was an academic and the other was an artist, but they connected in the most important ways. They both shared a love of reading and music. In their 60 years of marriage, they enjoyed each other and laughed a lot. Together, George and Cathy had two children.

George and Cathy were rather frugal, but they valued education highly. George was supportive of both his children going to private schools for their entire educations. George was not interested in material things like fancy clothes or cars but he wanted to pay for books, school supplies and cultural experiences for his children, which his son Mark said is one of the things he admired most about his father.

George went on to teach at NYU as a graduate student and then at Columbia University and Denver University as an associate professor. George was also the assistant dean and acting dean at the DU engineering school during his time there. He finished his career at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.

"At heart, he was always an academic," said George's son, Mark.

Mark described one of the moments he was proudest of his father was when George's students gave him the award for their favorite engineering professor two years in a row. It showed that he was really good at what he was doing. He loved being a teacher, and his students loved him in return.

"I think they loved that he was really committed to them understanding. He really wanted them to succeed, and he went the extra mile to make sure they understood both in class and in office hours. He took the time," said George's son, Mark.

George is survived by his daughter, Angela Parkins and his son, Mark Parkins; his three grandchildren, Summer, Jasmine and Katie; and his loving nieces and nephews Mary (Ron) Ludwig, Margie (Richard) Nelson, Claire, Jim and Bill.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and George Sr. and his sister, Irene Shannon.

A small memorial will be held for George with close family on Saturday, February 18, 2017. While this is a time of mourning for his family, they take heart in knowing George is at peace.