Robert J. Perkins

Robert J. Perkins, age 95, of Centerville passed away Monday, November 19th. He graduated from Purcell HS in Norwood, Ohio, and attended the University of Dayton on an athletic scholarship in football and basketball where he earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration. Bob was a proud veteran, serving the US Army in both WW II and Korea. Following his military service, he was employed as a sales engineer for Howden (previously American Standard) for 65 years during which time he established the RJ Perkins Company to represent Howden and Anderson Snow. Bob and his wife, Betty Ann, were founding members of Incarnation Parish in Centerville where he remained an active member serving on countless committees over the years. A lifelong volunteer for the City of Centerville, he and his wife were honored as Volunteers of the Year in 2003. He was also a member of the Dayton Engineers Club and a past president of ASHRAE.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Betty Ann Behringer Perkins in December 2017. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Malcolm and Inez Perkins, sisters and their spouses Ruth (Woody) Bruner and Inez (Harry) Young; his grandson, Jeffrey Perkins, and his son-in-law, Jeffrey Brumfield. His brother-in-law, Rev. William Behringer S.M. passed away the following day. Robert is survived by his daughters, Kathleen and Barbara Perkins and Lynn Brumfield; his sons, Douglas (Sue), Gregory (Debra), Jeffrey (Monica) and Matthew; his grandchildren, Erin Bohn (Tom), Chris, David (Erica), Mark, Stephen, and Drew Perkins, and Maria LaFord (Christian); and his great grandchildren, Caroline, Carter, Lauren and Ethan Bohn, Jane, Katarina, and Owen Perkins, Tristin, Amelia and Jamie LaFord. The family would like to thank the caregivers and Hospice team for their loving support for Bob and Betty Ann the past two years.
Visitation will be held at the Church of the Incarnation in Centerville, Ohio on Saturday, December 1st at noon with Mass of Christian burial to follow at 1pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions are made to the Robert J. and Betty Ann Perkins scholarship at the University of Dayton, Hospice of Dayton, or to a charity of your choice.