John Thomas Perkins ’55

Perk died July 24, 2020, at home in Tampa, Fla., with his son Tom at his side after a decline triggered by a hip replacement. He served as a celebrated class secretary from 2010 until his decline. His Alumni Weekly reports embraced a lyrical style that ranged from German citations to notes on baseball. 

Perk was born Jan. 30, 1934, in New York City, the son of George F. Perkins, and graduated from White Plains High School. At Princeton he majored in German, joined Campus Club, and earned a varsity letter in baseball. He also helped organize and played piano for the Princeton Tiger Paws, a Campus Club group. His senior-year roommates were Leon Prockop, Ray Fitzsimmons, and Paul Perreten. His career featured secondary school teaching and coaching, which yielded several championship teams.  

Perk’s encounter with German at Princeton blossomed into a lifelong interest, and his love for the New York Yankees shifted to the Tampa Bay Rays when Tampa became home.  

Perk and his wife of 37 years, Janet, traveled to Europe, Russia, Egypt, and on innumerable cruises. Perk is survived by Janet; four children, Douglas, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Thomas Jr.; and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by Nancy Stratford, his first wife and the mother of his children.