Perry Cole

1939 - 2022

Perry Walker Cole, born in San Francisco in 1939 to Jane and Bill Cole, died on November 23rd at his home in San Rafael, with his loving family at his side.Because of his Dad's job with the telephone company, Perry's parents moved several times when Perry was a boy. His early years were spent in San Jose, Salinas, and Santa Cruz. The family moved to Marin County in 1949 where Perry attended Ross Grammar school. It was here that he met life long friends that led to many adventures. Perry loved to tell stories of their early backpack trips in the Sierra's, bonfires on the beach, canoeing down the Russian River, hunting at Pt. Reyes with bows and arrows, making beer and distilling it in his mother's kitchen, and many other mischievous undertakings which earned him and his friends a reputation with the local Ross authorities. In his early years, Perry learned to sail the Bay from his Uncle Perry, taking the helm as his uncle took a nap. He went on to become an avid sailor, with one most memorable trip to the British Virgin Islands. Perry went on to graduate from Drake High School in 1957 where he swam competitively on the high school swim team. Perry first attended Menlo College and then moved to Montreal where he graduated from McGill university with a degree in Zoology. One of his fondest memories of McGill was the summer he spent in Barbados at the Bellaire Research Institute tagging flying fish. After graduation, Perry moved to Bethesda, MD where he worked in research at NIH. During this period, he served in the Navy Reserves. He then attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN where he obtained his Master's degree in Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry. From Nashville, Perry went on to obtain his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Immunology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA. Perry then relocated to the University of Arizona in Tucson to do postgraduate work in immunology, studying multiple myeloma. It was here, while Perry was working at the VA Hospital, that he met his wife and partner of 38 years, Rosel Mulkey. They married in 1994 and had a lifetime of love and adventures together. Following his post-doc work in Arizona, Perry moved back to California, where he worked at San Francisco General Hospital in the Nuclear Medicine Department until he retired in 2001. In later years, Perry came out of retirement to help his wife with her business. He took great pleasure in this and he was not only an amazing support for his wife, but all of her patients as well. Perry was a devoted volunteer with the Sierra Club and the Tamalpais Conservation Club, the latter of which he served as President and the group's treasurer for over 20 years. He was instrumental in preserving Mt. Baldy in Ross for future generations to enjoy. Perry had many interests and hobbies and had a great zest for life. He was a creative, quick witted, fun loving and risk-taking kind of guy. He spoke his mind, lived with no regrets and had extreme gratitude for a blessed life. He never experienced boredom and always found something positive and exciting in every new adventure. Perry was an amazing father and husband and supported his family in every way possible. He was a kind, gentle and selfless person. He loved spending time in nature as his many hobbies reflected that. From duck hunting with his brother Bill in Oregon, to numerous fly fishing trips with his son Stephan, (including Alaska multiple times), he cherished each of these experiences. With his daughters Jessica and Jamie and his wife Rosel, he loved spending vacations and weekends backpacking, camping, hiking, walking the beaches, snorkeling in Hawaii and skiing. He and his wife travelled the country in search of backpacking adventures, some of which included backpacking the Artic National Wildlife Refuge and numerous national parks. Perry is survived by his beloved wife, Rosel, his dear children, Stephan of St. Paul, MN, Jessica and Jamie of San Rafael, his sister Cathy Kirk of Orcas, WA, his nieces and nephews, Kelly Cole Brown, Amy Cole, Elisabeth Kirk Lancaster, Christopher Kirk, Jeremy Kirk, Ian Kirk, and his former wife and mother of Stephan Cole, Sallie Weaver. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill (1968), Jane (1993) and his brother Bill (2019). A memorial in honor of Perry will occur at a later date.Memorial contributions can be made in Perry's name to Trout Unlimited, PO Box 7400, Wooly Bugger, WV 25438, SF/Marin Food Bank, Planned Parenthood and Spirit Rock, PO Box 169, Woodacre, CA 94973.