Richard Perkins- Dick

Our much-loved husband and father died from a brain injury sustained from a fall in his home on Monday, March 2, 2015.

He was born in Casper, WY to Harry and Georgia Perkins. He also attended school in Casper, where he graduated in 1942. Dick served on the National Ski Patrol at Snowy Range, WY. He attended the University of WY in 1943, but his education was interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during

World War II. After graduating from boot camp he served in the Solomon Islands, South Pacific. Dick achieved Petty Officer First Class and was assigned to duty aboard the USS Accomac, APB 49, which in 1946, during its duty in the South Pacific, sailed into Tokyo harbor.

After discharge from the Navy he resumed his studies at the University of WY. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering. While at the University he joined Alpha Tau Omega, fraternity. Upon graduating in 1950 he worked as a roughneck for a drilling company in WY for a year and then was accepted as a Special Agent in the FBI. He served under J. Edger Hoover both in Chicago and New York City. It was during his assignment in Chicago that he married his sweetheart, Dolores “Dode”, from his high school and college days. In 1956 he accepted a position as Supervisor of Plant Security for a new company in Salt Lake City, called Sperry Univac. This new company had a contract with the Dept. of Defense to manufacture the new Sergeant Missile. Later in his employment with Sperry he was promoted to Manager of Compensation and Benefits in the Human Resources Dept. He retired from Sperry in 1976. Ten days later he went to work for First Security Bank Corporation doing the same type of work. Dick retired from First Security Bank in 1981.

Dick learned to love bicycle touring when he and a good friend, Bob Utzinger, took part in Bikecentennial in 1976, which was a bicycle tour across the U.S. in the summer of 1976, in commemoration of the bicentennial of America’s Declaration of Independence. Dick and Bob rode their bikes from Missoula, MT to Jackson, WY in the tour. Later he rode his bike all over Utah, and many parts of ID and WY with Bob and daughter, Jan. He enjoyed playing golf, skiing, and taking trips with family and friends. But his most enjoyable trip was bicycle touring in Holland with Dode.

Dick always enjoyed spending as much time as possible outside. He was a very honest, caring, loving person, a great listener, and he gave wise advice. Dick had a great sense of dry humor and had a fabulous pair of legs. Animals loved him and the feeling was mutual. He would whistle and a couple of squirrels and a few blue jays would come and eat peanuts from his hand. He enjoyed keeping busy with various projects, but most of all he enjoyed just being home with Dode, his wife of 64 years. He was a happy friendly person, very healthy, and was still enjoying life even at the age of 90.

He is missed beyond words; he is so dear and precious to us.

His parents and his three sisters preceded him in death. Dick is survived by the love of his life, Dode, and his daughter, Jan, of Oakley, UT.

Per Dick’s request, he was cremated and there will be no service.

May you appreciate the time you have with your loved ones as he did. Life is precious.