Anderson County trustee’s tenure was the longest in the state
Robert Parker was honored before August’s Little River Electric Board of Trustees Meeting, his final after 60 years of service. In addition to a board resolution recognizing his dedication to the cooperative, Parker received this commemorative electric meter lamp. Parker says he’d “always wanted one.” Photo by Josh P. Crotzer
By Josh P. Crotzer
Robert “Bob” Parker was barely older than Little River Electric Cooperative itself when he joined the co-op’s board of trustees in 1964 at age 25. Last month, more than 60 years later, he retired from the board as the longest-serving active trustee in South Carolina, and likely in the nation. It’s safe to say, a lot has changed since the local farmer and small business owner began his co-op tenure six decades ago.
In 1964, Little River Electric had a little more than 4,000 members in its three-county service area. By 1977, co-op membership had increased to 6,600 accounts, and Parker’s fellow trustees elected him as their president. He served in that capacity until 2018, overseeing the co-op’s continued growth—Little River Electric now serves more than 14,000 members in Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood and McCormick counties—and providing sage leadership on cooperative affiliate boards such as Central Electric Power Cooperative and New Horizon Electric Cooperative.
Parker was just 25 when he succeeded his late father to the Anderson County District seat. Even then, the cooperative faced challenges of building new power generation to meet the needs of its members.
“When I first got on the board, we had a lot of opposition to the Lake Russell project,” says Parker, referring to the dam on the Savannah River that eventually provided much-needed hydroelectric power to members. “It was important for Little River Electric and the rest of the co-ops in South Carolina. We needed it.”
During that period, Parker owned and operated Parker Trucking in Anderson. He and his family also have a farm on Abbeville Highway. But he’s most proud that during his time on board, Little River Electric continued to deliver reliable, affordable power to its members.
Parker through the years, from left: At Little River’s 1967 annual meeting, three years after he joined the co-op’s board; 1984 and 2004.
“We’ve been able to keep the rates low, keep good workers and keep them safe,” says Parker. “It’s been that way the whole time I’ve been here.”
For the person succeeding him (elected at last month’s annual meeting), Parker’s advice is simple.
“Just always do what’s right and what’s best for the co-op,” he says. “You’re supposed to be dedicated to the member, that’s the main thing.”
Even after 60 years, some things never change.
