A Tribute to the Life of a Recent Hope College Alumni

 Blake Parmer (’18) went home to meet his Heavenly Father unexpectedly in his sleep on December 29, 2019. Many students and faculty on campus were blessed by his presence. As we grieve the tragic loss of a dear friend, we can only scratch the surface of what his beloved family is feeling. Blake continuously showed up with a piece of God that no one else could bring to this world. He was charismatic and brave. He refused to leave love at the door; rather, he brought it everywhere he went. Blake was never afraid to love people. The Business Department was widely encouraged by his pioneering spirit. He was a prominent contributor to Hope’s Ski and Snowboard Club, and a bright light to his fraternity brothers in Fraters. Blake was an entrepreneur with a rich soul for people. He was the VP, COO and CDO of the consulting company Safe Response, LLC. Working closely with the business department, Blake operated, managed and developed Safe Response, LLC. throughout his college career.

     Prior to his accomplishments in higher education, Blake was known for his personality that could never be matched. His demeanor was light-hearted and joyful. He loved to laugh and make the people around him laugh. There was a sense that he knew what it meant to live, finding a bypass around the facade of life’s seriousness. Somehow, even as an adult, he found a way to play. Blake loved to snowboard, skateboard, go for drives in his Alfa Romeo convertible, and anything else outdoors. He played soccer, rode dirt bikes and experimented with many other adrenaline-related activities. Blake practically froze time when he wanted to. Many students remember this of Blake: he saw us. He saw us when we spoke. He listened when we needed it the most. Blake was a friend to many. The presence of this man was refreshing. Blake Parmer was widely known for his generosity. If something was given extra or overboard, Blake did it. Even as a college student, he found a way to serve immensely. His type of service was anonymous, but everyone knew it had to be him. No one else had a heart like his. It was always Blake to be bountifully generous.

     Blake Alexander Parmer was a man worth knowing. This hope in Christ remains: as his brothers and sisters in Christ, we will one day meet with him again. Remembering Blake reminds us to smile widely because he taught us that not everything is as serious as we make it out to be. College is difficult and can be wearisome, but we have Blake as a prime example of a student that did not waste his joy. Find a moment to smile today. Blake would.