Robert Perkins

Robert Perkins (Bob) passed away on April 6, 2025, at the Meadows at East Mountain in Rutland at age 97. He was born in Rutland on May 25, 1927. He was the first child of Craigue and Mary (Leary) Perkins and grandson of then Rutland mayor, Authur Perkins. According to his Aunt Amy Perkins who studied the genealogy of the family, Bob was a seventh generation Vermonter. He was very proud of that. Bob graduated from Rutland High School in 1945. He joined the Navy and spent a year specializing in radio and communications. World War II ended, and he was honorably discharged without going overseas.

Bob graduated from the University of Vermont where he met his future wife, Thelma Cole, from Wilmington, Vermont. They were physics lab partners and members of the outings club. Bob and Thelma married in 1949 and ultimately had four children: David, Anne, Polly and Tim.  Bob moved his family to Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend graduate school in Electrical Engineering. He was introduced to the new idea of computers. After completing his MS at the University of Michigan he moved to Los Angeles and later to San Jose, California, the birthplace of Silicon Valley and a hotbed of research and development for the burgeoning computer science industry. Robert worked for IBM. All four of his children graduated from high school in San Jose.  Then Robert and Thelma moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he completed his last project for IBM and retired in 1991. He always planned to move back to Rutland Vermont saying, “You can take the boy out of Vermont, but you can’t take Vermont out of the boy”.  Bob and Thelma moved back to a family-owned home and campground in Mendon following retirement. They later bought a home on Rachel Drive in Rutland.

Bob was an avid hiker, swimmer and jogger, and a pole vaulter for UVM. He is an End to Ender of the Long Trail in Vermont. While in California, he spent many of his vacations hiking sections of the John Muir Trail which he completed over the years. He was a lifeguard at the public pool in Rutland as a teenager and taught all his children to swim in lakes, ponds, rivers and the ocean in addition to pools.  As he aged, walking and jogging became very important to him. He jogged, shuffled or walked two miles nearly every day well into his nineties. He maintained his commitment to walk daily for his entire life.  Bob participated in the Crowley 5K road race in Rutland for several years even into his 90s. The family joked about how he won his age class, primarily because there was no competition.

Bob was active in the Green Mountain Club and led senior hikes and helped edit and mail out the Smoke and Blazes publication for many years. He was also an avid reader and learner.  He and Thelma were active in the Rutland branch of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of Vermont. Bob contributed to and greatly appreciated the historical society.

Survivors include his four children: David Perkins of Alexandria, Virginia; Dr. Anne Perkins of Helena, MT; Polly Perkins Strona of Aiea, Hawaii; and Dr. Tim Perkins of Broomfield, Colorado; his younger brother, Dr. Peter Perkins, of Burlington, Vermont; 4 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews with extended families. After Bob moved to The Gables, he met Nancy Stahura who became a constant companion.

If you wish to donate in Robert’s memory, please consider the Green Mountain Club, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Rutland Historical Society, or a charity of your choice. Private family services will be held later. Clifford Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Joe Clifford was a friend and classmate of Bob’s. Online condolences at www.cliffordfuneralhome.com