Dr. Bradley W. Parlin (86) died of cancer peacefully at his St. George home on April 25, 2024. He retired from the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology as a Full Professor in 2003, after more than 40 years of outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research, and service at Utah State University.
Dr. Parlin received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and his PhD degree from the University of Illinois. He served in the 101 Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles.” Following his military service, he became a stunt man for Cole Brothers Air Show. A Popular Mechanics article from 1962 described his stunts leaping from airplanes and noted that his trick of transferring from a speeding convertible to a plane via rope ladder was “considerably trickier than it sounds.” Dr. Parlin was also an avid outdoorsman, and could often be found skiing, scuba diving, hiking, fly fishing, and gardening.
Dr. Parlin was known throughout his USU career as one of the university’s best teachers. His excellence in teaching the high-enrollment Introduction to Sociology course attracted large numbers of students to become sociology majors. Dr. Parlin taught a variety of upper-division and graduate courses. He was an excellent mentor to students as they pursued Master's and Doctoral degrees, and is credited by many former students as the force that propelled them into successful careers in the field. Dr. Parlin's excellence in teaching is reflected in his selection on several occasions as the department's Teacher of the Year, and during his last year at USU as the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Teacher of the Year. After his retirement, Professor Parlin was asked to lead a seminar focusing on teaching principles and strategies that helped prepare Sociology graduate students for future teaching careers.
Dr. Parlin’s impressive scholarly record included several books and numerous journal articles and papers presented at national and international conferences. He made significant scholarly contributions in international and applied sociology, focusing on discrimination toward immigrants in the scientific labor market in the U.S., and water resource development in South Asia. Dr. Parlin's work with engineering scientists made significant contributions in applying sociological principles that facilitated farmers’ active participation in the improvement of water conservation efficiencies in many parts of the world.
Dr. Parlin served as a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Pune, India, and was the lead social scientist in the planning and evaluation of resettlement and rehabilitation of refugees displaced by resource development projects in South Asia. His emphasis on the need to integrate new technologies in ways that meshed with local cultures contributed to the success of technology-driven projects in which he was involved. Additionally, Professor Parlin was a consultant for two decades with the Agency for International Development (USAID). His widely adopted coauthored book, Sociological Inquiry, first released in 1973, was published in its 10th edition in 2010. He was also appointed as a Chair Professor at Far East University in Seoul, Korea.
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology remembers Professor Bradley W. Parlin for his many accomplishments and as a gifted teacher and scholar.
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