Roger Perkins

Roger Perkins passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

Roger was born September 29, 1931, in Milwaukee, WI, the only son and third child of George and Lillian (Gehl) Perkins. Roger’s formative years were spent in Racine and Oshkosh and he graduated from Oshkosh High School. His first and best teacher, however, was his mother Lilly who taught him to love reading, appreciate history and always treat everyone with respect.

As a young man, Roger was a competitive swimmer and a champion marksman as the member of the Oshkosh Rifle and Pistol Club. Roger was on the State Pistol championship team for three consecutive years, and in 1953 he placed 12th in the Nation for his shooting skills. While growing up in Oshkosh, Roger was always drawn to the great Wisconsin outdoors, a passion he carried throughout his life.

In the early 1960’s Roger welcomed his son Curt Perkins (Sarah) who now resides in Coral Springs, FL. In the late 1960’s, Roger met the love of his life. “Rog” and “Jude”, as they called each other, built a wonderful life together in Green Lake, WI with their children Mike Perkins now of Neshkoro, WI and Tricia Perkins who has recently relocated back to Green Lake from Madison, WI. Roger was a dedicated husband and father. He was always strong and supportive and he was a great teacher to all his children. He was blessed with family, friends and great neighbors.

Roger was a skilled electrician and he retired from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Although Roger was a dedicated, hard worker, he always had his priorities straight; Roger did not live to work, he worked so he and his family could enjoy and appreciate life!
Roger loved to hunt, fish, boat, camp, target shoot, and he was an excellent photographer. Roger was also an amazing craftsman and artisan. He had an uncanny ability to build anything simply by looking at a picture. He is well known for the handcrafted knives that he made for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his two older sisters and their husbands, June (Don) Thomey and Nancy (Bob) Tulledge, and his wife, Judith Perkins. Roger is also survived by three grandchildren, Jennifer (Kenny) Mueller, Jason (Melissa) Garrett, and Jackie Perkins all of Ripon, WI, and a sister-in-law, Diana (David) Alvin of Green Lake, WI. He is further survived my several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial service will be held on Friday, March 26 at 4:30pm at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home. On Saturday, March 27, family and friends are invited to gather for a morning campfire in the backyard at Roger’s home from 8:30am to 10:30am. Roger was a great storyteller and would appreciate his friends and family sharing memories of times shared.

In lieu of flowers, consider planting morning glories in your garden this spring or donations can be made to the Green Lake Animal Shelter in Roger’s memory.


Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.