Malcolm Kingsley Parkhurst was born on March 10, 1894, and 'came from an interesting and talented family.
His father, Howard Elmore Parkhurst, was a musician and a prolific author, writing books about music theory, ornithology, trees, shrubs and vines, and church organ music. He was said to be one of the first persons in America to ride a bicycle when the craze began.
Malcolm's uncle was Rev. Charles Henry Parkhurst, a social reformer who, in 1892, lead the charge from his pulpit to expose the corrupt practices of Tammany Hall. In his day, Rev. Parkhurst was considered by some to be a "militant". He was also an avid mountain climber, and scaled the Matterhorn.
Malcolm was eclectic as well. He was known as an engineer, an inventor with many patents, a jewelry designer, an electrician, and a designer of gas oven thermostats. He was also in the U. S. Army during World War I. He supported Lighthouse For the Blind, which was originally started in 1903 as a means to give free concert tickets to blind children.
Malcolm married Frances Nelson in 1932. They had no children. Frances predeceased him in 1975.
When Mr. Parkhurst died on June 6, 1994, he was 100 years old. There was no one to claim his body, and he came to lie in Hart Island.
Well done, Sir, may you rest in peace.