Dr. Christopher Parr loved teaching and learning, but his greatest lesson was how to live a happy life.
Parr, the first hire of the Chemistry Department at The University of Texas at Dallas in 1972, died April 10 at age 82. Though he retired in 2001, his daily demeanor has never been forgotten by his former colleagues.
“He was always smiling and chuckling and laughing,” said Dr. Inga H. Musselman, who has ascended to vice president for academic affairs and provost after starting as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1992. “Just a very joyful person. He was delightful to be around.”
The happiness was accompanied by an inquisitive nature that was as infectious as it was brilliant.
“In some ways, Chris was more like a professor you would meet in one of the humanities than you would meet in chemistry,” said Dr. A. Dean Sherry, who was hired soon after Parr and retired in 2022 after 50 years at UT Dallas.
“He was a very intellectual man. He loved science. He loved art. He loved music. He loved film. He was a very broadly educated man, which you don’t always find in scientific circles.”
Dr. Richard Caldwell, who followed Parr, Sherry and Dr. Lynn A. Melton into the fledgling department, said he most remembers Parr for “his wit, his ability to turn a phrase, his objectivity. He had good rapport with the undergraduates.”
Born May 6, 1941, in Oakland, California, Parr became interested in chemistry in a most unusual way: He dabbled in homemade fireworks and was fascinated by the chemical reaction.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1962 and a Doctor of Philosophy in physical chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1969.
At UT Dallas, he applied mathematics and physics to chemistry problems and was a pioneer in incorporating the internet into his courses by putting lecture notes, homework and exam solutions online and communicating with students via email.
Parr also served for seven years as college master and then associate dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and was an advisor for undergraduate chemistry majors. But his list of accomplishments ranges far beyond his department, his school and even the University.
On campus, he also was dean of undergraduate studies for another seven years and systems operator for the electronic Undergraduate BBS (Bulletin Board System).
He demonstrated his passion for movies in two ways: He managed the repertory cinema program and, with Nobel Laureate John Polanyi, produced the first computer-animated film of chemical reactions.
Off campus, he visited all seven continents with his wife, Dr. Patricia Storck. They had met at UT Dallas, where she was director of teacher education, in the late 1970s and were married in 1985.
Parr’s love of reading and writing was most evident in his stints as editor of the Plano Rotary bulletin, webmaster for various sites, president of Friends of the Plano Public Library and chairman of the Plano Public Library Foundation.
Thus, it wasn’t a surprise to his friends when, in 2001, Plano opened the Christopher A. Parr Public Library. After all, for years he had been suggesting books for them to read — but his recommendations weren’t limited to his longtime acquaintances.
During the first of Musselman’s two days of interviews for the chemistry position, Parr handed her a popular book about pedagogy and said, “Let’s talk about this again tomorrow.”
She was sure that meant being able to discuss what was in it, so after a long day of meetings and dinner with faculty, what did she do?
She read the book.
Parr didn’t bring it up the next day. But, as she learned later, his book ideas were just his way of serving others — he even managed the chemistry storeroom when it needed a steady hand.
“He was selfless. He did what needed to be done,” Musselman said. “He was always giving of himself and doing what he could to advance our department and our institution.”
Parr also had a leadership role with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, and Sherry joined him at the symphony regularly. It was another aspect of Parr’s selflessness — he encouraged other members of the faculty to look beyond chemistry.
“I have other interests, but chemistry dominates,” Sherry said. “I don’t think that was necessarily true for Chris. He was interested in everything.”
His seemingly endless exploits made Parr’s Christmas letter the most anticipated of any his friends received.
“It was no ordinary Christmas letter,” said Musselman, taking her most recent multipage copy — exquisitely designed and printed — out of the envelope. “It’s a book. It’s a chronicle. You would learn so much. It wasn’t just news. It was a publication.”
Dr. Mihaela Stefan, Eugene McDermott Distinguished Professor and department head of chemistry and biochemistry, and affiliated professor of bioengineering and of materials science and engineering at UT Dallas, had heard so many stories about Parr, she wanted to bring him to campus to thank him for his contributions.
She finally succeeded in March 2023 and savors the experience.
“So many times, we’re rushing through life, and sometimes we fail to say thank you,” she said. “We want to say it, but sometimes we don’t do it quickly enough and then we don’t have the chance to do it anymore. I feel so privileged I actually had the chance to meet him in person.”
Another honor was bestowed earlier this year when UT Dallas created the Christopher A. Parr Travel Award for Graduate Students. Applications are being accepted from grad students who need funding for travel to present their research.
Those students also should research the award’s namesake. They would benefit from knowing about his legacy at UT Dallas and in Plano. They would smile if they could envision the sight of him walking across campus, his ever-present English flat cap perched on his head.
“He could have been a character actor in movies,” Sherry said.
One of the good guys.