Harold W. Perkins

Dr. Harold W. Perkins, 91, of The Highlands at Wyomissing, passed away October 10, 2010 in Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

He was the husband of Jeanne D. (De Muth) Perkins. They celebrated 68 years of marriage this year.

Born in Sharon, PA, he was the son of the late Lewis and Minna (Baur) Perkins.

He received a Bachelor of Arts from Washington & Jefferson College, 1941, Master of Science, Penn State, 1951 and Doctor of Education, Penn State, 1957. Dr. Perkins was a US Army Air Force veteran of WWII.

He served as CEO of Penn State Berks from 1959-1984 and was instrumental in laying the foundation for the college. Dr. Perkins retired in 1984 but remained active in the campus until the time of his death.

In addition to his work at Penn State Berks, Perkins was active in the community, serving in the past as president of the Reading Rotary Club, chairman of a capital campaign at Lincoln Park Community Methodist Church, and president of the Pennsylvania Association of Junior Colleges. He was also a member of the PAJC Board of Directors. In 1970, Perkins received a government appointment to the state Advisory Council for Vocational Education.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Reading Musical Foundation and Berks County Conservancy. He served on the Board of Trustees of Reading and Berks YMCA and was a member of the Torch Club of Reading. He was also an avid tennis player.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Susan E. Perkins wife of Richard Garner, Trumansburg, NY; and two sons, Atty. Ted, husband of Rebecca Perkins, Bala Cynwyd, PA and Rev. Timothy, husband of Bonnie Andrews, Milwaukee, WI; six grandchildren, Scott Garner, Elisabeth Garner, Noah Perkins, Julia Perkins, Tobie Perkins and Marina Perkins.

Memorial Services will be held in Lincoln Park United Methodist Church, 1 Carlisle Ave., Reading, PA 19609 Friday at 11 a.m. Friends may call in the church Friday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Burial will be private in Fairview Cemetery, Shillington. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lincoln Park Endowment Fund at the above address or the Harold W. and Jeanne D. Perkins Endowment Fund, Penn State Berks Office of Development, PO Box 7009, Reading, PA 19610. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.