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This tribute was written by Robert W. Kapp Jr.

Richard “Dick” A. Parent of Damariscotta, Maine—renowned toxicologist, fearless advocate in court, sailor, and indefatigable force of nature—passed away on February 12, 2026. True to form, he was actively practicing toxicology and racing his beloved sailboat right up to the end. He turned 91 on January 16, and his life was, by any measure, a very good run. Dick lived every one of those years to the fullest. He was truly one of a kind.

For those who didn’t have the chance to know Dick Parent, here’s a brief overview of the man and mentor I knew.

A distinguished expert toxicologist, Dr. Parent built a career defined not only by intelligence but also by action. He was a proactive and inspiring figure who organized, recruited, and energized those around him. He played a key role in bringing professionals together, forming and supporting toxicology groups, and encouraging colleagues to step forward and contribute. I met Dick when I was a novice Study Director at Hazleton (now LabCorp, previously Covance) many years ago. He was busy presenting data at an SOT meeting and graciously answered my many questions. I bought him a drink afterward as a thank you for his time, and we have remained lifelong friends ever since. After serving as a Research Chemist at American Cyanamid, a Staff Toxicologist at Xerox, VP and Director of Food and Drug Research Labs (now defunct), and Director of Life Sciences at the Gulf South Research Institute (now the New Iberia Research Center), he was among the first to establish an independent toxicology consulting business: Consultox®, Ltd., in 1984. That same year, he also founded the Roundtable of Toxicology Consultants (RTC). In 1989, he was the founding editor of the Acute Toxicity Section of the Journal of the American College of Toxicology, and in 1998, he co-founded the Specialty Section on epidemiology at SOT. Dr. Parent served on the editorial boards of numerous toxicology-related journals and was Chairman of ASTM Committee E34 on Occupational Safety & Health. He testified before the House of Representatives subcommittee on oversight and investigations of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce in July 1979, to assess the risk of ozone exposure. He was on the boards of directors of CCA Associates and Delta Laboratories and served as a consultant to the International Union of Airline Flight Attendants, among others. Dr. Parent was board certified by ABT, ATS, and RAC, and was a registered expert toxicologist in Europe (EUROTOX) and in France by the French Toxicology Society (SFT).

His sharp mind made him a formidable presence in toxicology litigation, where he served as a fearless advocate. In court and during consultations, he was known for precision, clarity, and an analytical edge on topics ranging from alcohol and benzene to vinyl chloride and Zyprexa®. Despite his busy schedule, he still found time to write a book review for me (as Book Review Editor for the International Journal of Toxicology), even though it was in WordPerfect, which he was still using as his word processing program in 2013! He was forward-thinking but also old-school in many ways.

Dick could be ornery—he would likely insist that be included—but it was part of the package that made him unforgettable. Beneath the gruff exterior was a man always ready to assist, mentor, offer insight, play Devil’s advocate, or rally a team. He expected rigor and commitment, especially from himself, and he inspired others to meet that standard.

His life, however, was never limited to toxicology. Among his many passions, none was greater than his love of the sea. Fluent in both French and English, Dick felt just as comfortable conversing in a courtroom as he did on the open water. His racing yacht, the beautiful BeauSoleil, was more than just a vessel—it was a second home that he enjoyed with his wife, Eileen. They raced her along the Northeast coast with the same passion and joy he brought to his professional life. Several times, he invited me to crew with him for races, which I declined each time for some long-forgotten reasons. I have often regretted not accepting those invitations while I still could serve as a crew member. On deck, as in the courtroom or conference room, he was fully alive—competitive, focused, and exhilarated by the challenge.

Dr. Parent will be deeply missed in the scientific community, where his expertise, leadership, and relentless energy left a lasting mark. He will be equally missed in the sailing world, where the sight of BeauSoleil under full sail became a familiar and welcome presence.

Remarkable, tireless, and unapologetically himself, Dick never sat still. He lived boldly, worked passionately, and sailed to win. His wake runs long—across the waters of the Northeast, through the halls of science, and in the lives of those he mentored, challenged, and inspired.