Philip T. Perkins

1929 - 2024

Philip T. Perkins

January 16, 1929 - November 9, 2024

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - Philip T. Perkins, 95, died on Saturday, November 9, 2024, in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was born January 16, 1929, in Hingham, Massachusetts, the son of Lewis West and Julia Hutchins Perkins. After graduating from Stony Brook School on Long Island, N.Y., Phil attended Wheaton College and graduated from Michigan State University in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration, having designed a unique degree program focused on food distribution. While at Michigan State, Phil was a member of Psi Upsilon. In 1952, Phil married Dorothy Glupker, after seeing her on the bus to church and working up the courage to ask her on a date.

Phil began his career in Kroger's management training program; years later, he could still describe every cut of meat from having worked in that department. From there he shifted to advertising, working for Needham, Harper & Steers in Chicago on campaigns for major companies including Mars Candies, General Mills, and Kraft. After his agency experience, he shifted to marketing, saying he wanted to be the client who could make the decisions instead of the one doing the pitching. Phil's keen interest in the advertising/marketing arena wasn't limited to his job, leading to many conversations around the dinner table about the pros and cons of current campaigns for everything from toys to coffee.

In 1968, Phil joined Economics Laboratories (now EcoLab) as vice president of the company's consumer division; after three years he was chosen as the company's most valuable employee. Later he became executive vice president, then chief operating officer of the international division, where his plan to streamline operations was credited for that division's consistent growth. In 1981, Phil became president and chief operating officer of the company. During this time, he served on the Boards of Ecolab, the Norwest Bank of St. Paul, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Soap and Detergent Association.

In 1986, Phil and Dorothy retired to Hilton Head Island. He was an active tennis player throughout his adult life, beating his opponents as much by his constant sarcastic banter as by his skill at the game. Phil served as President of the Tennis Association of Hilton Head Island in the early years of its organization and was a part of the team that won the 2008 75+ state championship in the USTA League.

Phil was also an avid sailor, from racing sunfish on Long Island Sound to bareboating off the coast of New England and beyond. Every fall for many years, he and his older brother Clark would sail together and cheat each other at gin rummy. He was a member of the South Carolina Yacht Club and as he got older, his sailing mostly consisted of being a volunteer for races near Hilton Head and racing mini wind-powered sailboats in a nearby lagoon with friends.

Phil was a storyteller at heart, from making up tales for his children when they were little, to regaling friends about his latest exploits. He had a strong sense of obligation, often helping friends and family when they were in need.

Philip was preceded into death by Dorothy, his beloved wife of 72 years, as well as by his siblings, Clark, Bill, and Nancy. He is survived by his daughters, Judi (Portsmouth, VA) and Susan (Winston-Salem, NC).

Philip and Dorothy were charter members of Providence Presbyterian Church. Services will be held in the church's Mill Building Chapel on Tuesday, November 19 at 11 a.m. All those who wish to celebrate his life are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Young Life Campaign (www.younglife.org/give/).