Dudley Charles Parkinson

Dudley Charles Parkinson

Dudley Charles 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 cultivated in his early life in western Illinois. He attended Westmer School District and graduated from Aledo High School in 1968. After college at St Cloud State College in Minnesota he entered the Peace Corps and ultimately spent almost seven years in West Africa.

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 also ran an adventure travel company for more than a decade, leading eco-tourism trips to West Africa and South America. He never lived a day working to live, he lived to work. He would have an interest in something then figure out how to make a living doing it. His passion for adventure was not diminished or curtailed by the challenges of a catastrophic stroke in 2016.

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 (Patti), and his former wife and good friend Peggy Parkinson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Dollie (Rice) Parkinson.

There will be a celebration(s) of Dudley's life later 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.

Messages may be sent to Judi and/or Trish, and forwarded to Amy, Ana, and/or Peggy upon request – judiparkinson49@gmail.com, tlongair@gmail.com