Dr. Robert "Perk" Perkins

Dr. Robert “Perk” Perkins passed away peacefully at his home August 1, 2025. Perk was born in 1938 to Harold and Erma Perkins of Glendale, West Virginia. Upon completing high school, he initially attended West Liberty College before transferring to West Virginia University where he completed a Bachelor degree followed by Masters and Doctorate degrees in Geology.

After completing his education, he and his bride Phyllis moved to North Carolina to start his teaching career at Campbell College. He quickly developed a passion for teaching and was known for incorporating entertaining field trips into his courses. As an adjunct professor for West Virginia University, he and his young family spent many memorable summers in West Virginia while Perk taught undergraduate geology field camps.

Financial realities led Perk to leave teaching for the nonprofit research position at Research Triangle Institute. His second career involved many new and continued friendships, as well as innovative work in the environmental field. After retiring from full time work, he was able to focus on golf, gardening, wood working, volunteer work, and eventually his return to teaching at Central Carolina Community College. He officially retired at the age of 80. His professional career was marked by a love for his subject, his students and his colleagues. He remained an avid reader and continued to enjoy golf and his church community in his latter days.

Perk touched the lives of his family and friends with his witty sense of humor, steadfast presence, and desire to live life to the fullest.  Some of the many memories he shared with us include hunting, fishing, golf weekends, family camping at Badin Lake, annual Fall weekends at Watoga State Park, family trips to Fish Creek, and weekends spent at Sunset Beach.  His love for his family will warm our hearts and stay in our memories forever.  Besides his family's devoted attention, he was lovingly cared for by Crystal Callejas and Brenda Milton in his final days. 

Perk is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Perkins, as well as their children Steve (Kelley) Perkins, Sheri (Eric) Rudisill, Scott (Jennifer) Perkins and their 7 Grandchildren Josh and Camryn Perkins; Noah, Lucas and Seth Rudisill; Jeffery Schenker and Lee Perkins; sister Carol Martin, niece Beth Wallace, nephew Rusty (Amy) Martin, niece Heather (Jeff) Beck, great nephew Caleb (Briana) Martin, great nieces Paige Wallace and Olivia Martin, two great great nephews, sister in law Glenda Reid and niece Carol Reid.  Godparents to his children Pete and Judy Wish.

He is preceded in death by his father, Harold Perkins, mother, Erma Perkins, father in law Robert Reid, mother in law Valta Reid and brothers in law Charlie Martin and Robert “Bobby” Reid.

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” - Helen Keller

A Life Well Spent…

Celebration of Life to be held:  August 16, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 pm, Lillington United Methodist Church, 1201 S. Main Street, Lillington, NC 27546

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in his honor to one of the following: Cure Alzheimer's Fund     https://curealz.org/giving/donate/  or Lillington United Methodist Church: 1201 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 506 Lillington, North Carolina 27546,   PayPal: Choose SEND to lumc@lillingtonumc.com

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