Mrs. Debra and Dr. William Parkhurst
"The Field Museum was a fantastic, magical place. I loved the dioramas, the vastness, the variety of things to see. I loved the Museum," Bill Parkhurst reminisced recently about his boyhood in the Chicago area.
Even after his family relocated to Kansas when he was a teen, his love for the Field Museum never wavered. Bill eventually married his high school sweetheart, Debra, served in the Army and launched a career in computer networking and electrical engineering. No matter where they lived, Bill and Debra made sure to share the excitement of the Field Museum with their daughter, Laura. She remained entranced by Museum exhibitions into adulthood, especially Ancient Egypt.
One of the first things the Parkhursts did after moving back to Chicago was to become members of the Field Museum.
"Then, as members, we started meeting new and interesting people at Museum events. After the 'Field of Champions' gathering at Wrigley Field last year—and my being a lifelong Cubs fan—we decided to join the Founders' Council," Bill shares.
Debra adds, "Joining the Field Museum was the best thing we have done since returning to Chicago. It's such a positive part of our lives."
Over the years, the Parkhursts have been so inspired by the Museum that they also included the Field Museum in their estate plan and joined the Edward E. Ayer Society.
"We feel a personal connection to the Field," Bill smiles. "So including the Museum in our estate plan was a no-brainer."
The Edward E. Ayer Society honors those who have included the Field Museum in their estate plans or other planned gifts. To learn more about ways you can support the next generation of scientists, please contact Bill Lynerd at 312.665.7286 or blynerd@fieldmuseum.org.