We , the board and staff of the National Civic League , are shocked and saddened by the death of John Parr, his wife Sandy Widener and daughter Chase, in a Wyoming car accident on December 22, 2007. Our thoughts are with daughter Katy as she journeys through the healing process.

John Parr served NCL as president from 1985-1995 and re-invigorated the organization. In everything he did, he demonstrated his passion for good government and civic engagement. He broadened the scope of the organization, realizing that improving local government also meant improving local government’s relationship with the different community sectors. Different points of view were simply a community reality. The key was getting these viewpoints to intersect into areas of agreement. John knew that such points could be established if these different viewpoints were included at the same table. He believed in the human potential and it showed with his compassionate touch toward the people involved. Most importantly, he produced results, often accomplishing what was seemingly impossible at the start.

On a personal note, we are fortunate to have been introduced by John to the National Civic League more than 15 years ago. We are honored to continue to strengthen democracy at the local level by promoting civic engagement and good government practice.

We remember John consistently demonstrating his brilliance in unique ways. He was as skilled at connecting facts and ideas as he was connecting people. His mind was always churning, weaving ideas and strategies with facts and figures. Walk into John’s office and you would notice the stacks of note pads, files, books and newspaper articles on his desk, floor and throughout his office. Despite the apparent clutter, John always knew exactly where any document was at any time. We always imagined John’s brain was organized in a similar way, with stacks and stacks of information at the ready. He was as generous with his information as he was with his time -- mentoring many in the civic engagement field.

Most importantly, John demonstrated even more joy with his family and friends. When one was around his family, you could see that this family defined the words “tight knit.” John and Sandy’s home was a constant source of activity that generated energy rather than drained it. They were fun people who loved life and the people who shared it with them. We hope they know we loved them as much as we knew they loved us.

John’s wondrous laughter is something that will stay with all who knew him. It is because of that joy and passion that his passing, and the passing of Sandy and Chase, leaves such a large, gaping void.

They will be greatly missed.

Gloria Rubio-Cortes, President, and Derek Okubo, Senior Vice President

At www.citistates.com, national syndicated columnist and former NCL Board member Neal Peirce and Curtis Johnson, NCL Board member, remember John Parr.

Martha L. McCoy, Executive Director of Study Circles Resource Center and President of the Paul L. Aicher Foundation wrote this tribute to John and his family:
http://democracyspace.typepad.com/democracyspaceorg/2008/01/remembering-joh.html

The Denver Foundation has established the John Parr and Sandy Widener Civic Leadership Award to recognize people exemplifying John and Sandy’s commitment to and passion for improving the metro Denver community.The cash award will be presented each fall at The Denver Foundation’s Tribute to Philanthropy in honor of John, Sandy, and their daughter Chase. Contributions can be made to the John Parr and Sandy Widener Community Leadership Award c/o The Denver Foundation, 55 Madison St, 8th Floor, Denver, CO 80206. Contributions can also be made online at: http://www.denverfoundation.org/page17849.cfm.