Robert A. Parrack, 81, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. He was born in Kingwood, WV, on July 26, 1941, to the late Luther A. and Ruth (Miller) Parrack.
Robert graduated from Elkton High School, serving as president of the class of 1959. He then attended the University of Maryland, earning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. After graduation he worked as a Revenue Agent at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Washington, DC, before enlisting in the United States Army and graduating from Officer Candidate School-Artillery in 1967 and US Army Helicopter School in 1968. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 with the 4th Infantry Division, Artillery, where he flew observation helicopters. After Vietnam, he served a tour in Giessen, Germany in an artillery unit. After leaving active service, Robert returned to IRS and continued his military service with the US Army Reserve at Fort Meade, MD, and later the Delaware National Guard, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Robert had a lifelong love of flying, attending Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association reunions and maintained lifelong friendships with those with whom he had served.
He spent most of his career as a Certified Public Accountant & Financial Planner in private practice in Elkton, MD. Over the years, Robert enjoyed beach and ski trips and traveling with his family; learning Spanish; studying military and presidential history, particularly Civil War and World War II era; playing tennis, and running, including completion of the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC. Robert was active in organizations such as the Cecil County Special Olympics and an avid sports fan, traveling often to Maryland Terps and West Virginia Mountaineer football and basketball games.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 13 years, Jane Arrants-Parrack; his three children: Maureen (Vincent Mercante), Gwendolyn Parrack (Steven Zulli), and Britt Parrack (Jorge Inchaurregui); four grandchildren: Devin McCauley, Morgan McFalls, Olivia Mercante, and Nicola Zulli; three great grandchildren; and brothers Richard and David, both of Elkton, MD.
In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret McCool.
A celebration of Robert’s life will be held at 11AM, January 13, 2023, at Elkton United Methodist Church, 219 East Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921, where friends and family may begin visiting at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Tunnels to Towers” or “The Cancer Research Institute for Ovarian Cancer,” in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home.