Dr. Bruce Parker went to his rest on Sept. 22, 2025.

He was a dentist in his beloved town of Rio Dell for 40 years and belonged to the chamber of commerce, chairing it for several years. He was an active member of the Fortuna Seventh Day Adventist church, volunteering many hours at the church and school. Several of his years were spent as school board chairman at Fortuna Junior Academy.  His time spent in the US Army after high school were spent as an X-ray technician.

Following his service, he attended Loma Linda University dental school, where he graduated with honors in 1967. He was a missionary dentist in Japan and Guam for six years and moved to Rio Dell to practice at the invitation of good friends Dr. Ralph and Rita Roberts.

After retirement, he and wife, Ann, traveled extensively in their little 21 ft. motorhome, “Sally” (named that because they sallied forth here and sallied there). In their many years at home and abroad, they visited places in the Orient, Micronesian Isles, and all but five U.S. states. During a rest stop, after lunch, Bruce could be found studying the map and announcing, “Hey, we’ve never been here … it’s not that far” And away they would go!

He used his considerable “fix it” skills to help his children on their house projects and helped build the house in Rio Dell on the site of the old hotel built by Mr. Painter in the 1800s.

He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, four daughters, eight grandchildren and his first great-grandchild.

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