Tribute to Bertis Reed Parker, Jr.: Bertis Reed Parker, Jr., 75, husband of Kath-

ryn Evans Parker, of Beaufort, SC passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at

the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. Bert was born on Oc-

tober 28, 1940 in Rocky Mount, NC to the late Bertis R. Parker, Sr. and Irene

Meadows Parker. He retired as a manager for Atlantic Coast Life Insurance and

served our country in the US Navy. He was a member of Port Royal Masonic

Lodge, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite, Omar Shrine Temple, Royal Order of Jester's,

the Rotary of the Lowcountry, SC Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors,

Beaufort Classic Car and Truck Club and Beaufort Shag Club. Surviving in addition

to his wife, Kathryn, is a brother, Richard E. Parker of Virginia; and two sister,

Diane Harrelson of Atlanta, GA and Ruth Riddle of Lake Havasu City, AZ also much

loved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be

made to Low Country Rotary to the Cart Fund, Low Country Rotary, P.O. Box 522,

Beaufort, SC 29901 or CAPA Child Abuse Prevention Association at

My best memory of Bert goes back to when I first got involved with the leadership of the Club and attended a District Assembly in Sumter. I had no idea where we were going, so I agreed to drive if Bert would be the co-pilot. We took a lot of “short-cuts” that Bert knew and I found myself seeing quite a bit of rural South Carolina that I had not seen before. Most importantly, what I gained from Bert that day was his incredible commitment to the goals and essence of Rotary. We talked about how the Club had been formed, some of the early members and his work as Assistant Governor. Bert regularly attended all three clubs in Beaufort the same week; he was well-known and accepted wherever he went in Rotary. He did have disdain for those who got into Rotary only as a way to build a resume or advance their career and visibility. Bert was deeply committed to supporting the CART Fund and Alzheimer's Research in particular; when we started the Memory Links Golf Tournament, Bert was always there to push to have more funds go to CART. The other fond memory I have was his participation in “Fireside Chats”. His was great at filling in the details about both Rotary International and the Rotary Club of the Lowcountry. Bill Evans

Cards can be sent to:

Kathryn Parker , 3014 Walnut Street

Beaufort, SC 29906 Phone 843-525-0075

The CART fund was extremely important to Bert and he put containers out at

business to collect money. He was a charter member, past president, past AG

and Rotary mentor to many members not only in our club but across District

7770. He was the District photographer for meetings and events for many years.

Kathryn and Bert went to every District conference and enjoyed every minute. He knew everybody by name and

by club. One year Bert got up before daylight and wrote in the sand on the beach, “ I love Kathryn” and then then

he woke her up and made her look out the window. Gene Howard