Keith William John Parry
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Keith William John Parry on May 15th 2012 of Parkinson's in Surrey, BC.
He is survived by his wife, Heather Hong Parry; four children by a previous marriage: Dylan Parry, Sian Jennifer Nielson, Alison Parry, and Alan Bryn Parry; a younger sister, Margaret Parry Graham, and eight grandchildren.
Keith was born on May 31st, 1931, the son of William Edward Parry and Annie Parry (neé Powell) in Barry, Glamorgen, Great Britain
He attended Cadoxton Boys' School and Barry Grammer School. At 16, he joined the Barry News as a junior reporter followed by two years' National Service.
Keith trained at Dudly Training College, Worcestershire, UK, for two-years (1953-1955) and became a Qualified Teacher on August 1st, 1955.
He began his teaching career with the Worcestershire Local Education Authority
He came to Canada in 1957 and was the principal at schools in Manyberries and, subsequently, in Okotoks, Alberta.
In the early 1960s, Keith entered the University of Alberta and obtained his B.Ed. in 1963.
The article below, from the University of Lethbridge Aperture (VOL.2, NO. 19 MAY 22, 1990), details some of Keith's career at the University of Lethbridge
Students encouraged to think critically, independently
For the past 22 years. Anthropology Professor Keith Parry has encouraged U of L students to think critically and independently. Parry's efforts have resulted in a continuing interest in the field of study for many of his students and has earned him the University's Medal for Distinguished Teaching. The award will be presented to Parry by Board of Governors chairman David Hughes during Spring Convocation ceremonies May 26. "The award is a bonus to go along with the pleasure of having taught at the U of L" says Parry, now a Professor Emeritus since retiring last December. "The nice thing about the award is that it is recognition not only from your peers, but from students as well." Parry earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta in 1963, followed by his Master's and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Rochester in 1966 and 1972. He received his faculty appointment at the U of L in 1968. His 22 years of teaching at the U of L gave him the distinction of teaching a second generation of students who enrolled in his classes on the recommendation of their parents. Parry says rather than dispense questions and answers, he has always urged his students to search for their own. He prides himself on having only once administered a test containing multiple-choice questions. His preference for a seminar format, involving regular reading assignments and preliminary written responses, set the agenda for lively class discussions in the many courses he has taught over the years. He says he valued the contributions of his students in these class discussions and also tried to be available to students outside the classroom. Because of his teaching style. Parry is sought after by students as a rewarding instructor in independent studies. Many of his students have continued their Anthropological studies at the graduate level. "My only advice to students now would be 'frame your own questions and question everything'" he says. "Students should also remember that the only authority any teacher ought to claim is based on the data he or she uses and the logic of his or her arguments."
After retiring from the U of L, Keith taught at the University of Regina from 1993 to 1995. He had been invited to Regina to teach and also to advise in the re-establish the department of Anthropology there.
Keith was a recognized expert on the Mormon Church in Canada (e.g., Keith Parry, "The Mormon Missionary Companionship", in Marie Cornwall, Tim B.Heaton, and Lawrence Alfred Young (eds.) (2001). Contemporary Mormonism: Social Sciences Perspectives (Urbana: University of Illinois Press ISBN 0-252-02076-6) pp. 182–206 )