Route 611 Bridge Dedicated In Memory Of Doylestown Physician

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The State Street Bridge over Route 611 now bears the name of Donald E. Parlee, a physician, veteran, scholar, humanitarian and a person who left the world far better then he found it.

State Rep. Tim Brennan joined State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, community leaders and family on October 17 to formerly dedicate the bridge in memory of Parlee, who passed away in March at the age of 86 after a life well lived.

Brennan, who spearheaded the legislation to name the bridge in Dr. Parker’s memory, said it was an honor to put forward and lobby for the passage of the bill. The legislation was co-sponsored in the House by State Representatives Brian Munroe, Shelby Labs and Steve Malagari.

"Dr. Parlee was a man who lived every moment of his life. He lived deliberately building, finding purpose and helping others," said Brennan. "None of us know how much time we have
but his example shows us the possibilities when we use our time here with resolve, character and decency. Dr. Parlee’s life was deeply marked by intellectual excellence, a record of service and a deep love and commitment to his family and community.

“As eternity stretches out in front of us we constantly pass reminders and see symbols reminding us of the type of lives that are truly worth living,” said Brennan. “Our actions today are a small recognition of a life well lived. We are placing a marker on a road but we are also placing a guidepost about our community values, our purpose here and showing that the good we do here stays long past us in the hearts and minds of our neighbors and those that carry on our lessons.”

Joan Parlee, wife of the late Donald Parlee, next to a road sign bearing her late husband's name. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, State Rep. Tim Brennan, Doylestown Hospital CEO Jim Brexler, Ursinus College President Robyn Hannigan, Joan Parlee and members of the Parlee family at the dedication of the bridge. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Don and Joan Parlee. (Courtesy of Doylestown Hospital)

The ceremony took place at Doylestown Hospital, where Dr. Parlee served as a radiologist for 43 years and helped grow the hospital’s radiology department from one to 20 radiologists. He also established its School of Radiologic Technology.

“We couldn’t be more proud and grateful that our father’s name is now memorialized on a bridge so close to where he did his life’s work,” said Donald's son, Scott Parlee, who was joined at the ceremony by his mother, Joan, and his three siblings, Kim, Brad and Todd.

“For those who knew my father you know that dad was very humble, kind, gracious, and liked things simple. He helped people - a lot of people," said Scott. "In 40 years of practicing medicine he helped saved so many lives. Dad was wise, successful and worked tirelessly giving back to his family and causes in which he believed in deeply. He and my mom called all the causes they supported their 'fifth child.' He used his tremendous influence, work ethic, resources to give back and support three primary causes - education, healthcare and nature.”

Parlee graduated from Ursinus College, attended medical school at Temple, and was an associate professor at Hahnemann Medical School where he taught incoming medical students.

From 1966 to 1968, Parlee served in Vietnam as a radiologist for the U.S. Army, earning him a Bronze Star.

After the war, Dr. Parlee started a radiology practice traveling to four local hospitals - Grand View, Quakertown, Doylestown and Lower Bucks - and grew his practice to 20 physicians at Doylestown. He also chaired the radiology department at Doylestown for 25 years.

He was president of the Bucks County Medical Society, vice chair of the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and for ten years, a delegate to the American Medical Association.

In addition to Doylestown Hospital, Ursinus College held a special place in Don’s heart. It is where he met his wife Joan (Bradley) Parlee, whom he was married to for 68 wonderful years. Don served in various roles with the Ursinus Board of Trustees since 1983 and was also president of the Ursinus Alumni Association.

Other organizations that benefited from Don’s stewardship include Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Bucks County Audubon, Cape May Bird Observatory, and Peace Valley Nature Center.

Members of the Doylestown American Legion Post, left, fold a flag in memory of Dr. Donald Parlee. Dr. Donald Parlee, right, served in the Vietnam War.

The Parlee family holding a highway sign honoring the memory of the late Donald Parlee. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

“He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather," said Scott. "He was also a doctor, a captain, a bronze star winner, a board member about ten times over, president and donor about 100 times over, CEO of a multi-million dollar business, and tireless steward to many nonprofits. To meet him, however, you would never know it. He was so humble."

Scott continued, "He was a man who helped thousands of people and animals helping them to get to where they wanted to go with their health, education and/or in nature. He was and is a bridge to many, a structure that is strong, carries great weight yet is humble, simple, always welcoming and kind. And now his legacy will be memorialized.”

State Senator Steve Santarsiero who voted for the legislation naming the bridge, called the dedication “a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy will long be felt by this community and by his family.

“When I think of a bridge, I think of something that brings people together and that’s what Dr. Parlee did. He spent a lifetime of bringing people together," said Santarsiero.

"And what three better things to devote your life to than healthcare, education and nature," he added. "Each of those have such an impact. This is something that we, as a community, can come together and be so proud of that one of our own has had such an impact for our country and on our area.”

The gathering also heard from Jim Brexler, the president of Doylestown Health, who described Parlee as the “quintessential example of what it means to give your life for others, to do things for others.”

Brexler said in addition to bringing people together, a bridge provides valuable infrastructure which is what Parlee brought to Doylestown Hospital.

“What Dr. Parlee brought was a level of quality, a level of excellence and a level sophistication that this community deserved and demanded. He and a couple other doctors, they were the generation that made Doylestown Hospital’s infrastructure - its base - what it has grown to be today, which is world class.”