Legendary Harvard rowing coach Harry L. Parker and his daughter, Abigail, were lucky to share some bonding time during the 48th Annual Head of the Charles Regatta on Oct. 20. Both participated in a parent-child doubles race in the late afternoon during one of Massachusetts’ warmer fall days. Parker, who’s served 50 years as head coach of the men’s heavyweight crew team, and his daughter didn’t finish first, but no matter — they’ll always have the memories.
Harry Parker passed away on June 25, 2013. To share your reflections, visit Campus and Community.
1Spectators watch the Head of the Charles Regatta from the Newell Boat House dock. Harvard competed in a majority of the races on both days of the event, with participation by students, parents, alumni, and staff.
2Winsor School student Abigail Parker and her father, Harry Parker, head coach of the Harvard men’s heavyweight crew, bring their boat out of Newell Boat House. The duo participated in a Directors’ Challenge doubles race composed of parent-child teams.
3Harry Parker and daughter Abigail (back left) prepare to launch their boat.
4Kerry Herman pushes the two off into the Charles River.
5Father and daughter (right boat) make their way to the starting line before the race.
6The pair rows in unison under the Anderson Memorial Bridge.
7They give it the old heave-ho, racing past spectators sprawled along the Charles on a springlike October day.
8After the race, they row back to the Newell Boat House. The pair placed 21st overall.
9Parker’s wife, Kathryn Keeler, arrives with the duo’s biggest supporter yet — the family pet.
10Kathryn Keeler assists daughter Abigail with loading the boat back into the boathouse.
11They grow up so fast, don’t they?
