Professor Bill Perkins: A Gentleman and a Scholar

Memorial Pays Tribute to Former Director of Environmental Science Program at SMC

“A consummate gentleman.” That’s how more than one person described Bill Perkins, former director of the Environmental Science and Studies Program at Saint Mary’s, during a memorial gathering in the Brousseau Hall atrium on Tuesday, February 28. Others spoke of his sparkling wit, his always-open office door, and the generosity of spirit that led him to heap praise on all his colleagues.

About 100 people attended the gathering for Perkins, who passed away in January, including Saint Mary’s students, faculty and staff; Perkins’ family members; and former colleagues from his years with Gulf Oil and Chevron.  

They shared some of his favorite foods – oatmeal cookies, french fries and Fritos – and many fond memories of their travels and conversations with Perkins, who had taught at Saint Mary’s since 2002.

Faculty and colleagues recalled geological expeditions around the globe and wine-tasting marathons, while students remembered his forays in the Saint Mary’s wetlands and the way he would do “a little dance” when they brought him samples of rocks they had found on their travels.

For the occasion, the School of Science dedicated the Bill Perkins Memorial Mineral Collection in the Brousseau Atrium.

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View photos from the memorial.

Read a moving and funny recollection of Perkins by Saint Mary’s alumnus Ivan Parr.

Photo above courtesy of Anne Perkins.