Robert DuVernet Parker, whose quiet passion and warm commitment to the arts and education enriched the lives of thousands of students and artists, died peacefully at home, on November 8, 2024 at the age of 74, surrounded by his family.
Well-known in New Haven as a teacher and then Director at ACES Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven’s Audubon Arts District, Bob was a deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, as well as a trusted leader and friend to so many communities and institutions.
Born to the late William I. Parker and Helen DuVernet Parker in Albany, Georgia on September 6, 1950, Bob would find the community he called home when he moved to New Haven in 1971. He graduated from Southern Connecticut State University, and later earned a master’s degree in art and literature from Wesleyan University.
In the summer of 1986, he met David Carter, with whom he spent the rest of his life. They were married in April 2005 in Massachusetts, not long after Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. They shared in a crossword compulsion, mutual love of the arts, travel, and culture: sharing and enjoying books, museums, and performances around the country and the world. The loving support and partnership Bob and David found in each other overflowed in care for their family and community. Bob was known as a listening, loving, and gently guiding parent to his children, grand-baby whisperer extraordinaire, a loyal knitter of networks of friends-and many, many sweaters. He was a wise and trusted mentor to all generations, but especially to young people: in the lives of his ECA students, and through his role in the late 80’s as an Adult Leader of the Forum Youth Group.
Outside of family and friends, Bob poured his energy into the arts and education. He worked for ACES for 36 years, 20 of them as Director at ECA, and finally serving as the Director of Communications for ACES just before his retirement. He served as a board member and advisor to arts and education advocacy organizations at the national, state and local level. Bob’s interest in the arts, education, and New Haven continued as a volunteer; he served on New Haven’s Commission on Arts, Culture and Tourism, and the board of directors of the Southern Connecticut State University Alumni Association and New Haven Sister Cities, Inc. He also served as co-chair of the board of directors at Common Ground, a high school, environmental education center and urban farm in New Haven.
Bob was also a member of the Church of the Redeemer, UCC for more than 30 years and served in numerous leadership roles until the church’s last service in the summer of 2018. He subsequently joined the First Presbyterian Church of New Haven where he served as a ruling elder.
Bob will be deeply missed by so many, including his husband, David Carter, his children Geoff Parker (Julia Teitel) and Melora Simon (Daniel) and their families, including 3 grandchildren, Grace, Nate, and Imogen; siblings, Claudia Parker and Bucky Parker and his niece, Lowery Parker and nephew, CAM Parker, friends from his book group of 30 years, many cousins, and hundreds of ECA students.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on January 1, 2025 at 2 p.m. with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Common Ground (via New Haven Ecology Project) or First Presbyterian Church of New Haven.