Charles Perry

Sept. 11, 1929 - April 30, 2021

Los Gatos

Charles W. Perry passed away peacefully on April 30 at the age of 91. The devoted husband of the late Alice B. Perry, he is survived by his loving children Charles, Jr. (Elizabeth) of Sacramento, Beverly (Louis) Ulery of Boynton Beach, Florida, Virginia (Christopher) Lamb of New Milford, New Jersey, six wonderful grandchildren, and an adorable great granddaughter.

Born and raised in Taunton, Massachusetts, the only child of Charles and Flora Perry, he was doted on by aunts and uncles, some of whom took him to the legendary Fenway Park where he developed a lifelong loyalty to the Boston Red Sox and witnessed the magic of such great ball players as Ted Williams, Joe Dimaggio, and others.

A graduate of Northeastern University, he served in the U.S. Air Force as Maintenance Officer in the 95th Bomb Wing, rising to the rank of captain before being honorably discharged. He then moved his growing family from El Paso, Texas to Sacramento where he worked as a Civil Engineer for the California Department of Water Resources, eventually becoming Chief of the Earth Dams and Relocations Design Section. In 1969 he joined Wahler Associates, a Civil, Geotechnical, and Environmental Engineering consultant group in Palo Alto. Projects took him to sights in the U.S. as well as Central and South America and Europe, whetting his appetite for travel in retirement. He became Chief Engineer of the firm and, finally, President before retiring in 1992.

Charlie was a voracious reader and a history buff, possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of the Civil War and WW II in particular. Listening to classical music and regularly attending concerts, the opera, and the theater enriched his cultural life and brought him the greatest pleasure. Known and appreciated for his frequent puns, he enjoyed the company of many friends he and Alice met through the Los Gatos – Saratoga Newcomers’ Club. A rich social life of bridge and dinner parties, often hosted by his gifted wife, brought balance to a life committed to diligence in his career. In retirement he and Alice enjoyed 25 years of extensive travel across America and throughout Europe, as well as to Asia and Australia, although their favorite place to be was always their beautiful home in Los Gatos.

Charles Perry was that rarest of persons, a true gentleman. He will be forever loved and so very missed by his children, grandchildren and all who knew this sweet, kind, gentle and humble man.