Dr. John C. Perkins passed away on April 17, 2024, at his home in Springfield, Virginia, at the age of 101.
He was born December 26, 1922, to John Jr. and Hazel (Hamilton) Perkins in Danbury, Connecticut, where he spent his youth before graduating from high school in 1941.
John's studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, were interrupted by World War II and his subsequent enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Force as a cadet. By war's end, Second Lieutenant Perkins had earned Pilot Wings as well as Flight Engineer Wings, operating B-29 aircraft.
Returning to Wesleyan University, John earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, graduating with Honors and Distinction in 1948. While at Wesleyan, he was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, an honorary scientific fraternity, and became a member of Sigma Chi. Working in the music library at Wesleyan fostered his love of classical music and opera. He continued his education at Penn State University, obtaining a Master's degree in 1951 and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1954.
While John was at Penn State, his brother, Bruce, arranged a blind date with Patsy Ruth Van Etten of Sands Point, Port Washington, New York. They were smitten with each other and married on November 26, 1952, living briefly in Buffalo before establishing residence in North Springfield, Virginia.
John worked with the Veterans Administration Mental Hygiene Clinic in Buffalo, New York, before joining the Central Intelligence Agency in 1955. He served as Clinical Psychologist until his retirement in 1980, at which time he was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal. At the CIA, he was a charter member of the board of directors of the Employee Activity Association. John was a member of both the American Psychological Association and the District of Columbia Psychological Association.
From 1968 until its sale in 1988, John served as President of Van Etten Snap Ties, Inc.—a small manufacturing company in Alexandria, Virginia, established by his father-in-law.
In retirement John and Pat spent summers at their cabin on Androscoggin Lake in Wayne, Maine. During the period 1993-1995, John served as president of the Wayne West Acres Association. He enjoyed doing yardwork on the property—forever picking up an endless supply of sticks—sailing, and playing shuffleboard. Ever the competitor, John could be seen using a credit card to check whether a shuffleboard disc was on the line. He looked forward to strawberry season, when he would pick the berries and make jam, until he retired from that, too, at age 98, and passed the tradition on to the next generation.
John was preceded in death by Pat, his wife of 66 years, brother Bruce H. Perkins, granddaughter Jennifer L. Bernhards, and grandson Samuel E. Perkins. He is survived by daughter Janet P. Bernhards and her husband Victor, and son Charles H. Perkins and his wife Nancy. Additional survivors include grandchildren Brian F. Bernhards, John C. Perkins and his wife Mia, Hannah M. Jenkins and her husband Dylan, Abigail C. Perkins, Mark C. Hatfield and his wife Danielle, and four great-grandchildren.
A private graveside service will be held at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John's memory can be made to the Save Androscoggin Campaign, as the lake that brought him so much joy is suffering from an invasive plant infestation and harmful algae blooms. Donations may be made online,https://30mileriver.org/save-androscoggin-campaign-for-a-healthy-lake/ or via a check payable to 30 Mile River Watershed Association with a notation that it is for Save Androscoggin, and mailed to P.O. Box 132, Mt. Vernon, ME 04352.
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