Richard Andre Perkins, 92, of Santa Maria, CA, passed away on May 6th, 2020, in Santa Maria, CA.

 

Richard “Dick” Perkins was born in Los Angeles, CA to John and Lillian Perkins on February 10th, 1928. He married the love of his life Diana on December 1st, 1961. He worked as a logistics engineer in the aerospace industry, where he worked on many projects, including Apollo 11. Later, his career took him to Saudi Arabia as a private contractor with a company building modern westernized cities. He was a Veteran of World War ll on the first supply ship with the occupied forces near Nagasaki after the bombs were dropped as well as a Veteran of the Korean War with the Army where he was awarded the “Bronze Service Star.” He was a devout Catholic that loved the Lord and a member of the Elks Lodge, where he was known as an exceptional bingo caller. As a merchant marine, he traveled the world five times and had a deep love for the sea. He was known for telling stories about the “Good Ole Days,” sing-a-longs, and serenades. He loved jazz, dancing with his wife and daughters, the art of distillation, cooking, and bar-b-que pitmaster. He was the ultimate family man.

 

Dick is preceded in death by his parents John and Lillian Perkins, sister Wilmadelle Perkins and his brothers Clarence, Maurice, John, and Lloyd Perkins.

 

He is survived by his wife Diana Perkins, his children Julie [Harold] Sutherland, Richard [Kathleen] Perkins ll, Kristy Perkins [Afshin], Scott [Misti] Perkins, and Karen [Justin] Duckworth, his sister Barbara Orloff, his grandchildren Jacqueline [Ryan] Boughner, Nicholas Sutherland [Aimee], Dominic Perkins, Chelsea Perkins, Deane [Celina] Rozas, Alex Perkins, Andrew Perkins, Helaina Perkins, Rylee [Emanuel] Ionascu, Grace Perkins, James Perkins, Benjamin Perkins, Dawson Duckworth, and Marin Duckworth and great-grandchildren Owen and Brooke Boughner, Noah and Austin Sutherland, Lillian and Lucien Rozas, and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

 

The family would like to thank everyone for the loving outpour they have received. Dick desired to have a celebration of life versus a formal funeral. Due to current gathering restrictions, the celebration date is to be determined.