Charles Henry Perrine

Colonel Charles (Chuck) Henry Perrine, USA RET, died May 7, 2022 in Brandon, FL. He was born on June 1, 1940, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Katherine (nee Barber) and Robert Perrine. He graduated with Honors from Lower Merion High School, outside Philadelphia, then from Bowdoin College in Maine, where he was active in Sigma Nu Fraternity and ROTC.
In 1962 Chuck began his military training at the artillery basic course in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. From there he served in the Second Armor Cav in Amberg and Vilseck, Germany. He returned to the advanced course at Aberdeen, Maryland to become an Ordnance Officer. Next, he earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University. From 1968-1969 he served in the Area Five Logistics Command in Viet Nam. From 1969-1972 Chuck was an associate professor of Mathematics at USMA, West Point, NY. From 1972-1974 he served in Combat Equipment Group Europe (CEGE) in Mannheim and Karlsruhe, Germany. This was followed by the Command and General Staff College, Leavenworth, Kansas. The years 1976-1980 were spent assigned to Fort Devens, Massachusetts working in Readiness Region I, and in 1980-1983 he went back to CEGE and spent three years in Battalion Command. The Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania finished his military schooling, and his final assignment was Director of Maintenance at Letterkenny Army Depot, in Chambersburg, PA. Colonel Perrine’s military honors include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Following his retirement from the military in 1988, Chuck was a Financial Analyst for 12 years for Pennsylvania’s Legislative, Budget and Finance Committee, serving as team lead for field audits of the State Police, Turnpike Commission, Assisted Living Services, and more.
By retiring on the Yellow Breeches, a trout stream in Boiling Springs, PA, he indulged his lifelong passion for fly fishing. He was an outdoorsman, a fisherman and an expert fly tier. His tied flies were literally works of art. Having spent his formative years on his grandparent’s farm in Keeseville, NY, he kayaked, canoed, camped, hiked, cross-country skied, and later loved riding his Harley motorcycle in the mountains. He was a patron of the arts, collecting wood carvings, paintings, and local folk art. A tireless student of history, a stack of nonfiction books always nearby, Chuck gave the best tours of the Gettysburg Battlefield, and treasured his visits to Normandy and Verdun.
Starting in 2000, Chuck loved his role as bread dough maker at his daughter’s restaurant in Carlisle, Salamandra’s, working tirelessly to help Sally achieve her dream of owning her own restaurant. Also active in his community, Chuck devoted himself to Samaritan Fellowship at the First United Church of Christ providing emergency services in the Carlisle area. He served with CARES, administering to the homeless, and with Todd Baird Lindsey, providing services to the elderly. With his wife Judy, he worked out at the YMCA, swimming miles and miles to stay fit.
He was the original good guy, who will be missed by all who knew him; his was a life well-lived.
He is survived by his loving wife, Judith Naomi Surfus; sister, Barbara Tackett; daughters, Eleanor Mills Wehner (Jon) and Sarah Elizabeth Perrine (Gary Hunter); stepson, Jesse Pearson (Reenia); grandchildren, Jonathan, William and Lydia Wehner, and Ashley and Lily Pearson; nieces and nephews. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elaine Lent.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service in honor of Chuck’s Life on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Allen Berry Resort Event Center 1559 Boiling Springs Rd Boiling Springs PA as requested by the family’s wishes instead of at the First United Church of Christ in Carlisle PA. the family will greet friends from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Allen Berry Resort Event Center A luncheon will follow the services at the Allen Berry Resort in Boiling Springs. Final interment is planned for Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Samaritan Fellowship or any of the National Alzheimer’s research charities.
Arrangements Entrusted to Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory 2020 W. Trindle Rd Carlisle, PA 17013

The family invites you to sign the Guestbook at Hoffmanfh.com to share a Memory of Chuck with them.