Nathan Brian Parker

Nathan was born on February 28, 1972 in Buffalo, New York and died on November 5, 2012 in Austin, Texas. Nathan lived in Buffalo until the age of seven when the family moved to Topeka, Kansas. He attended Park School in Buffalo, followed by Whitson Elementary School, French Middle School and Topeka West High School all in Topeka, Kansas. In high school he was involved in drama, debate and scuba diving. Nathan’s love of the natural world, recycling and experimental studies, started in high school when he conducted an independent study to determine if old newsprint could be used to feed mushrooms. During summers he earned money selling fireworks and doing projects for family businesses.
After graduation he attended Kansas State University, beginning with enough Advanced Placement credits to matriculate as a sophomore. He then transferred to KU, University of Kansas, where he earned a Doctoral degree in Cellular Genetics. He completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Nathan remained in Austin, performing water studies for the City of Austin, checking salamander populations, and teaching biology at Austin Community College. Nathan joined the NOAA corps, serving as an Ensign on the USS Miller Freeman. Upon returning to Austin he resumed teaching responsibilities at ACC.
Nathan became a certified ship’s Captain and enjoyed boating and fishing on the Texas coast. Nathan was an avid caver and very involved in the Texas caving community. He also enjoyed rock climbing, target shooting, hunting wild boar, cooking, gardening and working on cars. Nathan especially enjoyed doing all of these activities with friends and family.
He is predeceased by his father, Harry Charles Parker Jr. Nathan is survived by his wife, Kari Commagere; his mother, Kathlyn Parker and beloved step-father, Angelo Rodriguez of Dripping Springs; his sister, Misha Sherman her husband Steve and niece Eva Sherman of New Jersey. As well as Kari’s family including Gail Commagere, Terry and Renee Hall, and nephews Morgan and Andrew Hall of Austin. And the many loving members of his extended family and friends who made his life a happy one.
Family will be receiving friends on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 10:00 am at Weed- Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 2620 South Congress Ave in Austin, Texas. Service will follow at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Nathan’s name to one of the following charities: the Boy Scouts of America Capital Area Council (www.bsacac.org) or to Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA): http://www.tcmacaves. org/financial/. Please visit Nathan’s Facebook page or the online guestbook at http://www. wcfish.com/ to leave messages for Nathan’s family.
Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home
South Congress, 2620 S. Congress, Austin, TX 512/442-1446
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.