Richard C. Perkins

Richard C. Perkins
January 4, 1939 – May 18, 2018
Richard Perkins, loving husband, father, expert martini mixologist, logophile, and dear friend died on May 18, 2018. Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, May 22 from 6pm-8pm at Hillier Funeral Home, 2301 East 29th St, Bryan 77802. The service will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, May 23 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 217 W 26th St, Bryan 77803.
Richard was born in Oakland, CA on January 4, 1939 to Evelyn and Clarence Perkins. He grew up in Pleasanton, CA and graduated from Washington Union High School at the age of 16! Following prep school at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, he graduated from Cornell University in 1961 with a BS and MBA. While attending Cornell, things we can share with you are he was involved with Delta Upsilon Fraternity, he rowed crew and was a member of the Air Force ROTC. Upon graduating, he was commissioned an officer in the US Air Force and completed his pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, in Lubbock, TX.
Now comes the most important part…while in the Reese AFB Officers Club, Richard spotted a women he had to meet, later leading to the most amazing egg salad sandwich he had ever tasted made by that same woman, Joyce Anna Woody. Though not interested in Zoomies, she was convinced to give him a try. And thank goodness she did. Eight months later they were married in Lubbock at St. John’s Methodist Church on May 30, 1964.
After receiving his pilot’s wings, Richard was stationed at Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, CA where he flew B-52’s. While there, Richard and Joyce welcomed their first child, Robert (although, we don’t actually tell anyone he wasn’t born in Texas.) From California, they moved to Dallas, TX where Richard transitioned to a banker with Republic National Bank. In Dallas, Shelly & Dianna were born (yes, real Texans!) Six years later, in 1976, Richard purchased John Deere dealerships in Bryan and Calvert, TX. And Bryan became the family’s new home.
Upon arriving in Bryan, Richard and his family joined St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. He served as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, usher, repairman, weed puller, chair putter outer and putter backer, banner hanger, Advent wreath hanger, and overall amazing dedicated member.
In the late 80’s, he closed the dealerships and turned to Financial Planning. He loved being a financial planner – his time with his clients and his time researching the markets.
Richard was a longtime member of the Planning & Zoning Committee for the City of Bryan, Bryan Business Council, the Texas Agriculture Extension Service for Brazos County, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History.
His favorite spot – outside of the trip to the Maldives to visit Dianna’s family – was Carmel, CA. Despite all the years in Texas, there was still that little bit of California in him that never left. He just loved the ocean and the breeze and Katy’s for breakfast.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Roberta Plummer. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, of 54 years, his three children, Robert of Fort Collins, CO, Shelly and spouse Jonathan of Houston, and Dianna and spouse Tulio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his five grandchildren, Reagan, Tyler, Houston, Ryan and Stella Joy.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or a charity of your choice.