True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: October, 2015
Reg.#24361, Sergeant Harold Richard 'Rick' Parken
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
A Canadian summer can easily be compared to long and enduring friendships. Weather wise, one prefers long, sunny and cloudless days. The beach and warm breezes come to mind. And genuine friendships are most meaningful when they too are warm and when they have lasted for many years. Rick Parken was a good friend and we went back nearly fifty years. He was passionate about life's priorities and he was compassionate with people in his life.
In 1966, I was posted to 'E' Division's Pattullo Bridge Detachment. One day, I was investigating a minor hit and run motor vehicle accident and I discovered that the registered owner of one of the cars was a student at UBC. I called the UBC Detachment for assistance and Constable Rick Parken answered the phone. Within a short time, Rick had contacted the car's owner on my behalf and soon the case was successfully closed. At the time, I had no idea that our phone conversation would develop into a long, memorable and enduring friendship.
A few months after Rick and I had spoken on the phone, Rick was chosen for the RCMP Motorcycle Course. Unfortunately, while on the Course, Rick and his Harley motorcycle were involved in a serious accident. As a result, Rick suffered life threatening injuries including broken bones which required specialist care. After a long spell in the Vancouver Hospital, Rick then returned to his home in Calgary, AB for a year of health support with his parents and additional treatments. Then, the years rolled by.
After two years of recovery, Rick returned to the RCMP and to policing on BC's Lower Mainland. In the meantime, I had been transferred to Maple Ridge Detachment for three years and then to 'L' Div. (PEI) for three years. Then in 1973, I was transferred to 'Depot' as an Instructor. One day in 1974, I was approached by then Staff Sergeant P. D. 'Pat' Wilson. Pat said, "Joe, there is a single man coming to 'Depot' in a few days, I want you to meet him and provide him with an orientation". I recognized Rick's name immediately. Over the next couple of years at 'Depot', Rick and I became thick friends. I helped him to find an apartment in south Regina, and I soon introduced Rick to Al & Jan Nicholson as well as their new born baby Jodi. Over the subsequent years in Regina, Rick and I adopted Jodi and we became her principal baby sitters whenever Al and Jan wanted a night out for dinner. In 2000, Rick and I were invited as special guests to Jodi's wedding in Prince Edward Island.
Rick arrived at 'Depot' in 1973 in his customary style -- he drove a rusty coloured VW Beetle and he was bedecked in a new, dark blue suit. He might have reminded one of a Latin trained lawyer in desperate need of clients. Mind you, I too drove a cost saving VW Beetle and before long Rick and I gained a reputation of Depot's most frugal Corporals.
Rick was assigned to the Law Unit at 'Depot'. He excelled at Instructional duties and without question, he became the Academic Department's most knowledgeable and proficient Law Instructor. He delivered his talks with ease, and his instructions were clear and precise. Rick also had the advantage of lending examples to supplement his law instructions. No one could dispute his solid operational background and expertise which he had gained from Vancouver's Lower Mainland. Soon, he was tapped as the pioneer Law Instructor to star for the in-house video productions which were made to assist recruits whenever they required additional independent help in criminal law.
Rick's years at 'Depot' were rich as well as the highlight of his life. He was a wonderful cook to the delight of many Instructors from 'Depot' who were invited to his table. For Rick, the kitchen was not a mystery but an adventure and a discovery. He was not intimidated by a crowd in his apartment, but instead treated dinner preparation akin to an exciting law lecture or a new video production.
Meanwhile, he gained a reputation as the go-to professor of law. Rick could have furthered his studies in law, and it remains a mystery why he never seriously considered law school -- he could have easily gained academic advanced standing in Criminal Law as well as The Charter. In his spare time, Rick volunteered to steer the 'Adopt a Child Overseas' Program which was sponsored by 'Depot' and he never refused to help me with dances which we organized for the recruits.
During the late 1970's Rick called to say that he intended to visit me in Ottawa. At that time, I was assigned to the RCMP's VIP Section. In those days, security was far less stringent than today and federal buildings were open to visitors. Rick said that he especially wanted to visit the Supreme Court. Rick and I approached the Court House on a quiet Sunday afternoon and the sole Security Officer offered to provide us with a personal tour.
Rick was ecstatic to visit the Supreme Court's Law Library and he amused himself as he sat in the Chief Justice's rich, red leather-bound chair. He shouted to me, "Quiet in my court". "And, I expect you lawyers to be prepared". "No one will waste the Court's time". Over the years, he regaled over and over again as he told the story of his visit to the Supreme Court. He laughed and laughed as he said, "There I was, sitting in the Chief Justice's elevated chair." "Who would believe me?" "And Joe, you were my witness!"
Rick certainly did not lead a boring life and he self-ignited some very funny incidents in his daily routine. In the early 1980's, he decided to leave the Force for another job opportunity. Rick was hired by the Provincial Government as the Executive Assistant to Saskatchewan's Consular General. The new and exciting assignment took Rick to London, UK for several years.
Just prior to his maiden overseas flight to London, Rick called me from Regina. He said that he intended to stopover in Toronto to visit some friends. He intended to stay at the upscale Sutton Place Hotel on Bay. As a surprise, I decided to drive to Toronto to meet Rick and I invited another friend Gary O'Neill to accompany me.
Gary and I met Rick in the lobby of the Sutton. Soon, Rick launched into a tale about the extravagant services of the hotel, the in-room refrigerator with its well stocked Scotch bar and the wonderful party he had hosted in his room. Gary and I nearly exploded. Rick had presumed that the bar service was free. As it turned out, his visit to Toronto and his party for friends had cost him a bundle. It was a little lesson in hospitality and international travel that I'm sure Rick never forgot.
For years and years, Rick called Cathy and me every New Year's. His famous phone call at mid-nite became a year end tradition. Over time, Rick had lost touch with many friends in the Force, but his phone call was a chance to review their whereabouts. Most of the time, Rick was cheerful on the phone but he could easily become irritated if he thought that the RCMP was unfairly criticized in the press. He was a fierce defender of the Force, yet he would shutter when a particular member embarrassed the Force by some unprofessional and well publicized act. Above all, Rick wanted the law protected. He was a very rational thinker and he always presented strong, forceful and persuasive arguments.
It seemed that Rick got sick very suddenly. About a year or so ago, Cathy and I visited Calgary as part of a Western Canada train tour. We called Rick at his apartment but he sounded very tired on the phone. He didn't let on that he was sick, but it was early in the evening on a summer night, and he said that he was going to bed.
This past September 2015, I was in Calgary again, but Rick had been admitted to Foothills Hospital. I went to see him in the hospital over several days, but he was not well. Looking back, I don't think he or I realized how serious his condition had become. We shook hands and said good-bye as I left his room.
Soon after I left Foothills Hospital, Rick passed away. His family was with him.
Al Nicholson gave Rick's eulogy at his Memorial Service. Rick was buried in Calgary with his parents. I will miss him.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
J. J. Healy
October 23, 2015
*The photo above was taken from Rick's Memorial Service booklet. Thank you.
