D. Stanley Parker, teacher and coach at Chestnut Hill school

Douglas Stanley Parker, known as "Stan," wanted his students to be the best people they could be, both in the classroom and on the baseball field.

"He's a big reason why I am who I am today," said Michael Brown, who was coached by Mr. Parker.

A beloved history teacher, coach, and administrator at what formerly was Chestnut Hill Academy and is now Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Mr. Parker, 66, of Erdenheim, died of colon cancer Thursday, June 16, at his home.

Mr. Parker had "three true passions" in life: family, teaching, and baseball, said his wife of 42 years, Hope Lynn Parker.

"He had a love that ran so deeply for his family, for me, his children, and his sister," she said.

Mr. Parker started at Chestnut Hill in the third grade and was there practically his entire life. Soon after graduating from Roanoke College in Salem, Va., with a bachelor's degree in history in 1972, he returned to Chestnut Hill, holding various positions for 43 years.

Brown, who graduated in 2000, said Mr. Parker was someone that others believed "was never going to be gone."

"He was here for life," Brown said. "Anybody who's ever been around him is very fortunate."

Mr. Parker served as dean of students, athletic director, history department chair, and dean of faculty. He coached the varsity baseball team for 23 years, from 1978 to 1986, and from 1999 to 2012, compiling a record of 313-258-5.

He was inducted into the City All-Star Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

For more than 30 years, he was also an organizer for the Phillies' Carpenter Cup Classic, a tournament that gives participating players exposure to potentially pursue college and pro careers.

Bob Undercuffler said he was friends with Mr. Parker for about 40 years. Undercuffler coached baseball with Mr. Parker and helped him lead history trips to Washington and baseball trips to Florida.

It was on these drives to Florida that Mr. Parker and Undercuffler discussed everything from politics to baseball lineups.

"To be a fly on a wall in that van, that would've been the place to be," Undercuffler said.

The friends were soon spending time together off the baseball field, enjoying trips with their spouses to Gettysburg, the Parker family's home at Pocono Lake Preserve, and other local spots.

John McArdle, a fellow teacher and coach at SCH, said that when his wife passed away several years ago, Mr. Parker was the first one at the hospital.

Mr. Parker was named the school's alumnus of the year in 1993, and was the recipient of the William E. Shuttleworth Honorary Award several times. Last year, he received the Francis P. Steel Jr. '77 Special Recognition Award for alumnus achievement.

This year, he was honored with the creation of SCH's D. Stanley Parker '68 Award. In the fall, he will be inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Parker is survived by son William Denny; daughter Jennifer Lynn: and a sister.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave. A reception will follow at the school.

Contributions in Mr. Parker's memory can be made to the D. Stanley Parker '68 Award at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 500 W. Willow Grove Ave., Philadelphia 19118.

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