Robert B. Parker has Died at 77
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010He died suddenly today. He was 77.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/01/mystery_novelis.html
I used to walk past his beautiful and unique home almost every day when I worked in Cambridge. I was lucky enough to meet him once several years ago.
It was a beautiful early summer day. He was walking towards me on Ash St., with a small bag in his hand looking as though he had come from one of the local shops on Brattle St. It just so happened that we ended up face-to-face at the front gate to his home.
I said, “Hello Mr. Parker. I don’t want to bother you other than to say I really like and appreciate your novels.”
He said, “Thank you, it’s never a bother when someone likes my work.” He shook my hand as he said it. He then added, “Enjoy this beautiful day.”
I said, “I will and hope you do the same.”
“I will from the comfort of my writing desk”, he said.
With a wave it was over. He went into his house and I continued up the block. I then stopped short. I wanted to kick myself. I had always promised if I ever got a chance to meet Robert Parker, I’d ask him why he only had one gargoyle on the second story balcony. Now I’ll never know…
This pic is the front gate at which we met. Notice the lone gargoyle on the right side of the upper balcony.
Home of Robert B. Parker
