Robert Parriott Memorial

About the Robert Parriott Memorial Scholarship: Robert Parriott was a civic and business leader as well as the owner of Triad Drilling Company. Mr. Parriott was born on October 1, 1916 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and spent much of his early life in West Virginia and Florida. Mr. Parriott graduated with distinction from Staunton Military Academy in Charles Town, West Virginia. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance in 1936. Mr. Parriott met his wife, Martha, at the University of Texas and they were married in 1939. Mr. Parriott graduated from the University of Texas in 1940 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. In January 1942, Mr. Parriott was called to active in the Army and reported to Ft. Benning, GA as a First Lt. in the Infantry. He fought for 210 days in the European Theater and he was promoted to Lt. Colonel and Commander of the 80th Tank Battalion in 1945, becoming the youngest Lt. Colonel to serve under General Patton. He was rewarded for his service with the Combat Infantry Badge, 6 battle stars for North France, Ardennes, Central Germany; Rhineland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia; the Russian medal of Distinguished Service in Germany; and two Bronze Stars for bravery in action for the Battle of the Bulge; the second with Oak Leaf Cluster. Following the war, he moved to Wichita and co-formed the Wichita Petroleum Club, served on its Board, and served a term as President of the Wichita Club. He served on the Bard of the Kansas Independent Petroleum Association and as a Director of Sunray DX Oil Company, as well as serving many civic groups. Many individuals and groups were the beneficiaries of his generosity, often anonymously. One of his passions was helping those less fortunate to receive an education. He was a strong supporter of the Helping Hands program, at Grace Presbyterian Church where he was a member. He and his wife Martha, were significant contributors to the establishment and growth of Botanica where there is a memorial in Martha’s honor.