PORTSMOUTH, NH

Robert William Perham, 95, died peacefully on January 22, 2021 at The Edgewood Centre where he had resided since 2015.  He was predeceased by his wife, Priscilla Barrett Perham.

Born June 22, 1925 in Biddeford, Maine, he was the eldest son of Stephen G. Perham and Emma Louise Perham. Bob moved to Portsmouth in 1936, attended local schools and graduated from Portsmouth High School with the Class of 1942.  He was on the PHS varsity baseball team and spent a number of summers playing baseball on several city league teams. After graduation he worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a year before enlisting in the US Navy. He attended basic training at Quonset Point in Newport, Rhode Island before moving on to Machinist Mate Diesel School in Richmond, Virginia.  Bob served aboard the PC-1183 out of Jacksonville, Florida and New York City. After leaving the Navy in 1946, he sought a college degree at Sampson College in Hobart, New York and the University of New Hampshire where he earned a bachelor's degree in Zoology.  After he was hired to teach seven different classes at Eliot High School, with a starting salary of $1800 per year, he and Priscilla moved to Eliot where they raised their five children.  He was also asked to coach football, girls' and boys' basketball and baseball on a volunteer basis.  While enjoying the coaching of all three sports, his favorite was girls' basketball.  From 1958-1962, his teams achieved a national record with 78 consecutive wins.  They played preliminary games for the Boston Celtics at Boston Gardens several times.  The Eliot Indians were noted not only for their skill but also for their sportsmanship.

Bob loved teaching U.S. History.  Even after retiring he went back to the high school to speak to students about World War II, the Great Depression and aspects of life in America.   Many former students will also remember him as their "nerves of steel" Driver Education teacher. While at Eliot High he instituted the Safety Council, Recreation Association and the NIDS program.

Robert taught and coached at Eliot High School and then Marshwood High School for 32 years before retiring in 1982. Whether he was in school or out, Robert was always interested in organizing activities for youth.  He began early when, as an eighth grader, he coached elementary school baseball and basketball teams.  He was instrumental in forming the Eliot Little League and helped the Portsmouth Little League get its start. Robert worked with youngsters at the South Playgrounds in Portsmouth for a number of summers and later taught summer basketball camps for both boys and girls in his back yard and formed informal tag football teams.  He also built and maintained rinks at Eliot High School and in his back yard for winter skating.

Community involvement was important to Bob and in 1970 the town of Eliot bestowed the Fabyn Drake Award to him for his service to the community.  In addition to his athletic endeavors with local youths, he was President of the Eliot PTA and the Southern York County League.  He also worked with the Superintendent of Schools to raise funds to build a new gymnasium which was ultimately named for him.  He continued his work with young people during five summers as Director of the YMCA Camp Gundalow in Greenland.

Bob and Priscilla spent many years wintering in Florida. At Red Sox spring training in Winter Haven they were able to chat and take pictures with many of the players.  A favorite, which hung on his wall at Edgewood, was of Priscilla with Ted Williams.  A journalist interviewed him at the park and quoted his comments on the memorable Bill Buckner play in Sports Illustrated.  They went on to spend a number of active and enjoyable winters at Winter Quarters/Encore Park in Bradenton. Bob and Priscilla also enjoyed over 60 summers at their camp on Great East Lake where he served as lake association President for a time. In retirement, Bob detailed his life in an extensive autobiography.

He was a source of never ending stories about his life in Biddeford/Saco, the South End , playing ball, the Navy, coaching and teaching.  Bob was also known to tell a joke or two and perform his rendition of the farmer from Maine for his Florida community.

He was a long time member of the American Legion.

Bob will be remembered for the unceasing love and support of his family, dedication to education and athletics, love of country, commitment to doing the right thing, strong work ethic and endurance during difficult times.

He is survived by his children, Janet Gould and husband Gary of East Wakefield, NH, Robert Perham, Jr. and Joanne of Buxton, Stephen Perham and wife Paulene of Sanford,  Patricia Wormel and husband Dennis of South Berwick; grandchildren, Stephanie Brown and husband Thomas, Joshua Gould and wife Eliza, Bobbi-jo Light, Michael Perham, Cain Perham and wife Stephanie, Katie Perham, Ryan Perham and wife Michelle, Heather Haesle and husband Matthew, Shayle Wormel, Patrick Wormel and wife Alejandra; great grandchildren, Nathaniel and Olivia Brown, Anna Gould,Thomas, Harley, Timothy, Kyra and Dominick Light,  Sasha Perham, Gemma and Jaxton Perham,   Emily Perham, Cadence Haesle, Bentley and Abigail Perham and Leo Wormel; sisters Barbara Hodgdon of Eliot and Beverly Splaine of Portsmouth; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, brother Donald Perham and wife Priscilla, he was predeceased by his daughter Gail Perham.

His family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the care and many kindnesses he received at The Edgewood Centre.  He called so many of the staff his friends.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com . A private memorial service will be held on January 30 at 2:00 in the J.S. Pelkey and Son Funeral Home. The service will also be available live stream at https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-perham , as well recorded for future viewing.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a scholarship fund at:   Marshwood High School, Attention Denise Brooks, Checks may be made payable to "Marshwood High School"  260 Dow Highway, South Berwick, Maine 03908.