Robert Virginius Perkins Jr.

January 9, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Martha Casstevens Perkins, his parents, Robert V. and Edna Perkins, and his infant son, Robert Vance Perkins. He is survived by sons Robert V. Perkins, III and Russell W. Perkins (Debbie), daughters Kimberly P. Johnson (Robbie) and Andrea P. Hogan (Larry), grandchildren Lacen Kinkel, Hope Kinkel, Rusty Perkins (Liz), Will Perkins (Liz), Katie O’Neill (Mike), Max Perkins (Cameron), Ross Perkins (Sarah), Caroline Perkins,Virginia Perkins and Emily Perkins, and eight great-grandchildren.

Bob was born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1930 and moved to Richmond, Virginia with his parents in 1933.

He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1948 and from the Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1952, where he was known affectionately as “Bobo”. While at VMI, he was a cheerleader and a member of the Glee Club, and he was quite proud of the time he spent attending to the school’s mascot, “Moe”, a kangaroo that was apparently something of a handful. Bob left VMI with a commission as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force but received a deferment to enroll in the Medical College of Virginia’s School of Dentistry where he obtained his DDS in 1957; he was then stationed at Sheppard AFB in Texas and was discharged in 1959 as a captain and served in the USAF Reserves until 1972.

Bob met Martha, an RN, in Richmond and the two were married in 1960. The couple moved in the 1960s t o a home on the corner of Patterson and Malvern Avenues in the City of Richmond, where Martha raised the family and oversaw Bob’s dental practice, which he operated out of their home. Bob and Martha were Lifetime Members of Westwood Racquet Club, which they joined in 1968, and Bob served on the board for 13 years and as president in 1989. He and Martha became actively involved in the social life at Westwood and formed many life-long friendships. They enjoyed dancing and mingling, and they traveled extensively with Westwood friends and several dental associations. The family was also actively involved in the swimming and tennis programs at Westwood, where Kim swam and Andrea played tennis. Bob served for almost two decades as a professional linesman and umpire, and he called lines for 7 years at the U.S. Open in New York City. He was the subject of an article written for the Times-Dispatch in 1980 about his service as a linesman at the U.S. Open and the inaugural use of the “electronic eye”.

Bob became active while at MCV in Delta Sigma Delta, the international dental fraternity, serving as Grand Master of the school’s chapter. In 1989 he was named Supreme Grand Master of the organization. Bob was active in the Jaycees, serving as a national director, and was awarded a Life Membership, the highest honor, from both the local and statewide organizations. He served as team dentist for the VCU men’s basketball team for over 35 years, and for the local semi-pro hockey teams (the Robins, Wildcats and Rifles) and Richmond’s semi-pro football teams (the Rebels, Mustangs, Roadrunners and Saints) during the 1960’s and 70’s. Bob was instrumental in the STOP POLIO campaign in Richmond, helping in the effort to inoculate 300,000 residents. He also served as chairman of the Richmond Area Heart Association, was a member of the Central Virginia Optimist Club and held memberships for more than 60 years in the Richmond Dental Society and the Virginia Dental Association. Bob retired from dentistry in 2011after practicing for 54 years.

He was an avid sportsman who loved to fish and hunt, as well as play golf and snow ski. The family spent many happy times at their condos at Wintergreen and Virginia Beach, and their hot tub at the Patterson Avenue home was the site of many fun times, ergo the “No Swimsuits Allowed” sign that Bob posted. Bob was always a jovial presence in any setting and his patients adored “Painless Perk” for his caring attitude and his ability to make them feel at ease. Bob was fond of the saying “a smile without teeth is just two lips”, and he certainly put smiles on many faces over the decades. In recent years, Bob was rarely separated from his constant companion and furry best friend, a dachshund named Bert. The duo was often found sitting in the recliner next to the patio door, watching the birds and squirrels, or taking a

snooze. Bob was always the life of the party and you became his friend the instant you met him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and he cherished the time he spent with his family. He will be missed and never forgotten.

Cremation Society of Virginia is providing services and a private interment service will be held later at Westhampton Memorial and Cremation Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.