Robert Lee Perkins

Robert Lee Perkins, 76 of Buckeye, Arizona died peacefully Tuesday June 13, 2017 after a hard fought battle with cancer caused by Agent Orange. He was born June 5, 1941 to Dewey and Laura Perkins in Grand Rapids Michigan. At age 5, Robert and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Robert is survived by his loving wife, Laura M Perkins. He also leaves behind 5 children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Robert is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving honorably from 1967-1968 in the US Army. He obtained the rank of SP4 as a UH-1 “Huey” door gunner. During his service he earned the Good Conduct Medal, a Combat Infantryman badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and two Overseas Bars. During combat, Robert was wounded with shrapnel; for years after the war, he continued to remove pieces of shrapnel from his body. After the war, Robert dedicated his life to being a loving husband and father. He found excitement as a competitive skydiver. Robert was a skilled marksman and archer and he found success as a hunter. Later in life, he enjoyed flying remote controlled airplanes and exploring the desert on his quad. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest.

Robert will be laid to rest near late wife Mary Perkins (preceded in death December 20, 2010) on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024.