Ralph “Pete” Parker has died
My very good and long time friend, “Pete” Parker has died suddenly. His grand daughter Genna indicated that it was most likely a heart attack or stroke. Pete had been diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and had beaten it, being declared cancer-free in 2010. Pete will be remembered by many in the fly tying community. He organized the fly tying theater for the ISE Shows for many years, and had great fun with all the “personalities” and “characters” that fly tying brought to him–me being one of them.
I have a great remembrance of Pete that he tied just for me–his red hot cigar fly. He actually used it on several occasions to catch fish. It is a very creative design. I never had the opportunity to ask if it worked better when tied with Cubans or not.
We will miss you Pete, but I know where you are and how very much your are enjoying yourself . I look forward to tying flies with you when we meet again.
Pete Parker's red hot cigar fly is a fond remembrance of my old friend.
Gary,
I’m very sorry for your loss. That is a very creative fly indeed and a wonderful memento.
Warmest regards,
Todd
Gary,
Thank you so much for this. What a wonderful remembrance. You were one of his very dear friends, and he always valued your advice, guidance, and your humor! :-)
He and I always looked forward to your tying at the shows, and your wonderful spiritual advice. Thank you for being such a great friend to Pete, and me.
As far as the cigar…I think the Cubans were for Pete, and the hand-rolled cigars were for the fish. ;-)
Pete was a founder of the Evergreen Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a good friend. I fondly remember some of the chapter talks he gave over the years and deeply miss the support he gave, not only to the chapter, but to the fishing community as a whole. We’ll meet him again soon on our own “River of no return”. Go well, Pete. And Thanks, Gary, for the nice tribute.
Harry