Obituary: Parkhill, Robert Matthew
Age 38
He died of complications related to PTSD on January 25, 2015.
He was born in Williams Lake, British Columbia on April 17, 1976.
He is full blood Chilcotin and was raised by his parents James Robert Parkhill and Irene Langworthy Heppler.
He is preceded in death by his younger brother Abraham Parkhill, Uncle John Parkhill, grandmother Evangeline Parkhill, grandfather Burt Langworthy and his two pooches Gonzo and Dozer.
Robert married his first wife Desiree’ Parkhill-Snider in 1996 and had two children, Chelsey Cheyanne (19) who he loved to call (Shi-Shi) and Robert Chilcoltin Parkhill (17) who he fondly called (Lil Hoss).
He loved being a dad and having his kids call him Pa.
He found love a second time and married his wife Valerie on February 19, 2014.
He embraced his wife’s Navajo culture and was given the Indian name “eyes like arrows” and was also called “warrior”.
Rob attended Cheney High School and graduated in 1994.
He then enlisted in the Marine Corps because of his deep desire to defend this country after watching the movie Full Metal Jacket.
During his twenty year service with the U.S. Marine Corp, SSGT Parkhill did five combat tours: three in Iraq, one in Afghanistan, one in Kosovo.
He received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, Presidential Unit and Combat Action Ribbon.
He was stationed stateside in San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Fort Lee, VA, Camp Lejeune, NC and overseas in Okinawa, Japan.
His Marines called him “Chief”and “Hoss.”
They also like to call him “Chesty” after Chesty Puller (iconic Marine) because of the number of ribbons on his military uniform.
He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps on 30 November 2014.
Rob was incredibly funny; he had the best laugh and was loved by all who knew him.
He loved his family, his children, hunting, mixed martial arts, camping and fishing with his dad.
He is survived by his wife Valerie and her four sons, Chris (22), Patrick (17), Tyler (15) and Kyle (14); his children Chelsey and Robert Parkhill; his parents, James Parkhill and Irene Heppler; younger sister, OnnaLee and husband Travis Andrews, Spokane, WA; elder sister Karen Vassar-Severns; niece Hannah (Banana) Severns (22); nephew Joshua (Big Fella) Severns (20), of Plummer, Idaho; Grandmother Winnona Reese, Spokane, WA; Aunt Nancy Parkhill, Mesa, AZ; and Uncle Clyde Langworthy, Port Orchards, WA.
Robert Matthew Parkhill will never be forgotten…our son, brother, friend, uncle, father, husband, Marine and proud native warrior!
His family and friends would like to invite you to Celebrate his Life Saturday January 31, 2015, at Amazing Grace Fellowship, 416 W. Betz Road, Cheney WA at 11:00 AM.
Pastor David Flowerdew will be officiating.
After the services, there will be a funeral procession to Marshall Cemetery, W. Melville Road, Cheney, WA (509) 624-2468 with Military Honor Guard.
We will then return to Amazing Grace Fellowship to celebrate his love for food and give a hamburger toast for his love of Big Macs!
“Once a Marine, always a Marine, commitment never dies.”
Oorah!
“Semper Fidelis” CHENEY FUNERAL CHAPEL, CHENEY, WA