Architect Who Shaped P.G. Dies

Friday, May 07, 2010 06:41 PM

Prince George, B.C.- “If you look at Prince George west of the bypass, you are looking at the work of Des Parker.” Those are the words of Jo Graber, Chair of the Heritage Commission who worked for the former City Planner and architect.

Desmond “Des” Parker passed away peacefully on May 3^rd, he was 79 years old.

Des Parker moved to Prince George from Australia (via Vancouver) in 1957. For the next 50 years, he would put his architectural and planning stamp on buildings and development in Prince George.

While Des Parker’s signature piece is the current City Hall, he also designed St. Giles Church, major portions of Prince George Regional Hospital including Jubilee Lodge, the Victoria Medical Building, the YMCA and St Michael’s Church.

In 1989, Des Parker was appointed University Architect for UBC. He was responsible for selecting firms and individuals who worked on the $250 million, 5 year expansion at the University. When UNBC was established, he moved back to Prince George to become the University Architect with the same responsibility of coordinating the planning and architectural work of the original campus.

Most of the subdivisions west of Central, including the arterial road systems, were planned by Des, as were subdivision pockets such as Seymore subdivision. In addition, he was the

planner for the beginnings of Mackenzie as well as Houston.

A memorial service will be held, May 10th at 1:00 pm at St Michael's and All Angels Church, 1505 5th Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a memorial scholarship with School District 57 or the Prince George Symphony.

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Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 06:41 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: opinionated on May 7 2010 6:54 PM

Des Parker was a brilliant man with a vision who contributed a lot to this community.
May he rest in peace.

Posted by: shesmiles on May 7 2010 8:40 PM

I knew "Mr Parker" when I was child and teenager from horse shows. He was always so nice and lots of fun at the shows. Whenever I ran into him as an adult, he was always warm and smilely. I was saddened to read of his passing, I will for sure be attending his memorial.

Posted by: Oldun on May 7 2010 9:14 PM

Those were the days when PG had a planner and actually had a plan. Good work Dez.

Posted by: He spoke on May 7 2010 10:06 PM

rest in peace, Des, you were a good man.

Posted by: taxinapothole on May 7 2010 11:12 PM

What a sad day. My father and Mr. Parker were good friends. Many years ago, when I was a young lad, Des owned an XKE Jaguar sports car. He took me for a ride in it one Sunday afternoon. It was the thrill of my life time, never forgot the ride. He broke a few speed limits, and I just about broke my lips apart with the smile I had on my face.

In recent years, I had the privilege of giving Mr. Parker rides on occasion. It was always a good conversation!

Great man you were Mr. Parker. My condolences to your daughter Sherry, and the rest of your family. May you rest in peace sir.

Posted by: trackster on May 8 2010 4:17 PM

I met Desmond some years ago, and always admired the excellent layout of our City subdivisions. If it came to new and unexplored territory, he was never afraid to venture in.
I had heard he could be a tyrant, if as a contractor you did not live up to his specifications.
In 1978 I got the contract to build the first phase of Redwood Square next to Victoria Medical Centre. I in fact tagged that name to the project and it has hung on to this day.
The building right next to Vic Med is on the site on the site of the first ever Overwaitea store. The building housing the Shooters Pub was Overwaitea number two and the Value Village is the site of OW #3.
\Anyway, I built that section connecting the Vic. Med building, and it was designed by Mr. Parker.
I will never forget the day I called for final inspection. My knee's virtually shook when he arrived. I made him welcome and he went about his business looking everything over, and about 40 minutes later, he came and handed me a blank piece of paper. I looked at him and he said,"this is the first time in my career that I have given a clean bill of inspection the first time. He shook my hand and said that he would keep me in mind for future projects. Thank you Sir you made my day that day, and my life a little better for knowing you.

Trackster

Posted by: vgrimes on May 9 2010 8:27 AM

I figure Des Parker was architect of PGSS, and now, later as a teacher in buildings that aren't as clever, I appreciate the touches that made it a new approach to housing us as students; often thought, "Too bad this place wasn't more like that place." I don't really know but he may have spent his early life in Australia, as a Fairbridge Farm School boy. Does anyone know whether this is true? (just one more storied life with beginnings there, if that's right).