Former Bears punter/tight end Bob Parsons passed away last Friday at the age of 72.
Selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 1972 draft out of Penn State, Parsons played his entire 12-year NFL career in Chicago from 1972-83, appearing in 170 games. He served as their primary punter throughout that time, averaging 38.7 yards on a franchise-record 884 punts. He led the NFL in both punts and punt yardage in 1981 and 1982.
Parsons also played tight end, making 10 of 11 career starts at the position in 1975, when he caught 13 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown. He finished his career with 19 receptions for 231 yards and four TDs.
Parsons spent the final year of his football career playing in the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions. He later became a real estate appraiser and enjoyed playing tennis and golf and bowling.
According to his obituary, Parsons is survived by his wife, Denise J. (nee Feliccia); children, Michelle (Steve Cunningham) Parsons, Greg (Thomas Smith) Parsons, and Mallory Parsons; two grandchildren, Carlee Parsons and Michael Parsons Avelar; sister, Kathy (David) Lane; brother, David (Sandee) Parsons; mother-in-law, Carole Feliccia; brother-in-law, Steve (Natalie) Feliccia and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Catherine "Kitty" (nee Brittain) Parsons, and father-in-law, Jack Feliccia.
A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, July 17 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 941 S. Old Rand Rd, in Lake Zurich. Immediately following the visitation, a reception will take place at the Hawthorn Woods Country Club (1 Tournament Dr. N) in Hawthorn Woods.
Memorial donations may be made in Parsons' honor to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, Alz.org/donate or to the Boston University CTE Fund, 72 East Concord Street, Suite B-7800, Boston MA 02118.
