Dudley Charles Parkinson

life story

For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?

And what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?

Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.

And when you have reached the mountaintop, then you shall begin to climb.

And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.

― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

Dudley Parkinson, 71, a man admired and loved by many all over the world, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

In a quiet, unassuming manner he lived in the moment and saw the good in most things. Many knew him as a great storyteller, recounting his experiences and adventures in West Africa, South America, Cuba, Haiti, the US/Canada Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, as well as other locales. His love of adventure was not diminished or curtailed by the challenges of a catastrophic stroke in 2016.

A lifelong environmentalist and a beekeeper for many years, Dudley worked as a log home builder and timber framer. He enjoyed finding creative ways to salvage and reuse or rebuild old cabins and barns. He ran an adventure travel company for more than a decade, leading ecotourism trips to West Africa (where he had worked as a Peace Corps volunteer, then associate director) and also to South America.

Dudley had reserves of strength, patience and perseverance that made him a delight, and challenge, especially in these later years. He never stopped trying harder and never lost hope of doing more. In the last three years he kayaked, snowshoed, and traveled to Costa Rica and Panama, as well as studied Spanish with an online tutor. His next goal was rock climbing.

In the end another stroke took him from us. Dudley exited life with the same grace with which he lived. He will be remembered and missed by all who were blessed to know him, especially his partner Amy Martin, daughter Ana Parkinson, grandchildren Jaden and Aja, sisters Judi Parkinson and Trish Longair, and his former wife and good friend Peggy Parkinson.

There will be a celebration of Dudley's life in Minnesota in June and a private family memorial in Aledo, Illinois, sometime this summer. Details to be announced at a later date.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to an environmental organization of the donor's choice.