Remembering Parker Thompson

Parker Thompson, a second-year undergraduate studying applied and computational mathematics, Secretary of ASCIT, and a peer advocate, passed away on February 3, 2026. He was 19.

Thompson arrived at Caltech in fall 2024 as a QuestBridge Scholar and participant in the First-Year Success Research Institute. In his application to the Institute, one recommender called him “a once-in-a-lifetime academic, humanitarian, and dreamer.” A member of Ricketts House, he became active in student leadership, serving as ASCIT Secretary and peer advocate.

President Rosenbaum described Thompson as “an integral member of the student community and student leadership,” remembered as “an engaged, caring individual with a gentle smile.”

Faculty recall both his intellectual range and his ambition. Jennifer Jahner, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Thompson’s first-year advisor, said he brought equal enthusiasm to mathematics and the humanities.

“Parker was a gem, and I use that word in its specific sense,” Jahner said. “He shone bright; he dazzled all of us with his smile and spirit.” She added that he “loved the multifaceted beauty of mathematics and art, poetry and music,” and that he reflected “the essence of the Caltech community: unfettered curiosity, fierce care for others, and deep reserves of strength.”

Jahner noted that Thompson had expressed interest in founding Caltech’s first mock trial club. After participating in mock trial in high school, he had considered pursuing environmental law.

Beyond his academic and campus commitments, Thompson was a gifted writer. Professor Jenny Factor, who taught him in En 85: Poetry Writing, described him as “radiant” — a word she said perfectly captured “his generosity toward others, his natural sparkle, his intelligence and creative gifts.” She recalled that he “cared immensely about writing poems” and “would like that to be said of him. And it should be.”

Factor described Thompson as a talented poet who was “always eager to talk about craft, about how a poem could be skillful and original,” and who “grasped and held onto each new idea.” His creativity, she said, “saturated his work,” from a poem that imitated the motion of waves to another that blended lyrical description with scientific observation. In workshop discussions, he was the “kind of student who turned discussion into permission,” reading both “the room and the poem together” and making it “safer for others to try on new approaches to writing and reading.”

“Just the very moment he walked in the workshop room,” Factor reflected, “his empathy, compassion, and love of literature sort of glimmered, and his sparkle lit up the workshop.”

Within Ricketts House, students remembered Thompson as someone who encouraged open conversation and made himself available to others navigating depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma.

“There are no words to express how deeply the loss of Parker will resonate throughout the Caltech community,” said ASCIT President Ashlyn Roice (CS ‘26, Lloyd). “He was the most kind and gentle person … and a bright light to all who met him.”

In the days following the announcement of his death, students created a memorial in the inner courtyard of Ricketts House. Flowers, photographs, handwritten notes, and personal items were left throughout the space. On the evening of February 5, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil attended by Thompson’s mother and uncle before walking to Caltech Pond to set small lights afloat. Students later shared Abuelita hot chocolate, his favorite drink.

Thompson is survived by his mother, Amdana, and his two younger brothers, Miles and Ryan.

Students seeking support may contact Student Wellness Services (SWS) at (626) 395-8331 (press 2 for after-hours support) or call/text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The Tech is collecting stories and tributes to include in the next issue to capture everyone whose experience at Caltech was made brighter by Parker’s presence. If you have any memories of Parker, or anything you’d like to share about him, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGGVNCkAheFXk14KI1QUQEY-3sZi0R7D2YOpf-b9JOj3BeKA/viewform?usp=dialog. Thank you for honoring Parker’s memory.

Parker, you’re such a sweet, witty, and smart boy. I’ll miss our funny banter. I’ll miss your funny stories. I’ll miss our weird conversations. I’ll miss fighting off your allegation that I was stalking you. Running into you at the Lacy Park, the Huntington Gardens, or on the 10 (bus) DOES NOT count as stalking ;). I am so grateful to have met you during Discotech and to have been your friend through FSRI, freshman and sophomore year. I will always hold onto the last memory I have with you during Ricketts Interhouse. You’re the greatest thing we’ve lost. I’m sorry that you were hurting. I hope you’re at peace, you deserve to be. You’ll forever be in my heart. Rest in peace, PARKAH!!

— Bhakti Ahir Ahir (Ch ‘28, Blacker)

I remember during FSRI we were in the same research duo. We were also suitemates (our suite was goated), and we would bond over stressing about our FSRI research—how we felt like we could not please our SURF mentor and were in anguish when he would make faces during our presentation (he managed to snap of screenshot of him making it during a Zoom call which is the image I am uploading). He lowkey put me onto Magdalena Bay, and was one of the first Questies from Caltech I talked to the week we matched. I was not necessarily close to him, but he was great company, and I remember when he would laugh with Carolina and Tuyen; it was infectious. I will miss you bro.

— Luis Serrano Laguna (MechE ‘28, Blacker/Dabney)

I don’t think people always saw how much heart Parker put into being there for others. He showed up when it wasn’t convenient. He cared when it wasn’t easy. And he did it without needing attention for it.

Some people leave echoes.

The kind that stay in the quiet moments, in the dining hall conversations, in the late-night check-ins, in the way we instinctively try to be a little gentler with each other now.

He made people feel seen. And that’s such a rare thing.

There are people who fill a space just by being loud. And then there are people who change a space simply by being steady. He was steady. He was kind. He was the kind of PA who led with empathy instead of ego.

Our community is better because he was part of it.

And we will carry that care forward because that’s what he taught us to do. I love you Parker.

— Samaiyah Snowden (MechE ‘28, Ricketts)

Parker was my best PA and a friend since discotech. When he lost his partner, that reminded me of myself at a point in my life and we shared a moment over this ode.

I named it “Ode to a Lover Departed” and he loved it.

I watch the boughs stretch, The roots knit the ground, The years cascade and Clash against the wind, Corroding your tombstone. Yet, you don’t mind, impervious To the ceaseless churn of the seasons, Content with the specter you left In the corridors of my mind. And I glimpse fragments of you Flicker in these corners, Chasing them as a moth Ultimately to my doom, Just as I was Icarus for you And soared too close to our passion. Now, my happiness evaporates, Like a man’s beauty on The weathering shores of time, Leaving behind a residue Of insatiable hunger that gnaws On our love, and all that remains Is resentment and envy, For you depart with my prayers, And I linger in your absence.

— Anonymous (‘28, Ricketts)