Arthur Campbell (Cam) Perks |
| Posted 2009-09-28 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ January 14, 2004, p. B11 Arthur Campbell Perks, Chairman Emeritus of Eclipse Inc., passed away Wednesday Jan 7, of renal cancer at his home in Wickenburg, Ariz., surrounded by his family and close friends. After spending time with each during the evening, he died peacefully in his sleep. He was 81. A.C. “Cam” Perks joined Eclipse after he served in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942-1945 during World War Ii. Eclipse was founded by Garnet McKee, Cam’s uncle, in 1909 as the Central Appliance Company in Rockford. Cam worked in virtually every department of the company and named President of Eclipse Fuel Engineering Co., as it was known then, in 1950. The company engineers, designs and manufactures burners, control systems and related products and accessories for industrial processes such as glass melting and heat treating. Under his leadership, the company relocated all manufacturing facilities for the combustion, boiler and furnace divisions to a new 100,00-square-foot building at 1100 Buchanan Street; expanded its research and engineering programs; acquired companies; and began its expansion into the international market by creating its first foreign subsidiary, Eclipse of Canada, in Toronto, and establishing joint-venture companies in Mexico, Australia, England, Holland and Japan. In 1970 he became Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 1977 the company moved to its current facility at 1665 Elmwood Road. As president, Cam fostered a strong family atmosphere for employees that continues today under the leadership of his sons, Doug, Chairman of the Board and Lach, Senior Vice-President/general Manager. In 2002 e was named Chairman Emeritus. In 2004 he observed his 62nd year of service with Eclipse. Today, Eclipse is one of the last large, privately owned manufacturing companies in Rockford with a significant international presence. Cam Perks was born on May 4, 1922 in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada to Arthur J. and Lorna Bridgman Perks. The family moved to Rockford public schools, graduating from Rockford High School in 1940 where he was captain of the football team and vice president of his class. After high school he attended the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colo., to study engineering and where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega. After two years he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps where he served as 1st Lieutenant and P-38 flight leader in the China-Burma-India Theater. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. After the war, he became a U. S. citizen. On Aug. 2, 1947, he married Carole Joanne Lundholm of Rockford, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Lundholm. Survivors include his four children: Wendy 9Roger) Fisher of Rockford; Dr. Valerie (Barry William McNew) Donaldson of Pittsburg; Douglas (Mary) Perks of Rockford; and Lachlan 9Janet) perks of Rockford; his sister, Lorna Thompson, Palm Desert, Calif,; and 13 grandchildren; Lily Jo Fisher, Emily, Elizabeth, Campbell, Parker, and Meredith Donaldson; Wade, Anna , Lucas, Andrew and Devan Perks; T.J, and Shannon Johnson and Kyla and Kody McNew. His parents, and his sister, Doreen Sands, and his wife preceded him in death. Cam Perks had a long and distinguished career of civic service. He served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Rockford, Swedish American Hospital, Community Chest (president), Junior Achievement (president of local chapter and member of national board), Rockford Boys Club (president), Rockford Rotary (president and charter member), was a trustee of Rockford College and a founding member of Young Presidents’ Organization. He also supported many charitable and educable organizations, such as the YMCA of Rock River Valley, Camp Rockford park District Foundation, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Klehm Arboretun, Friends of the Colorado Theatre Renovation, Hillsdale College, Geneva Lake Environmental Agency, Desert Caballeros Western Museum and Del Webb Center for the Performing Arts. In 1961 he served as Assistant Supervisor of Rockford Township and served a member of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors from 1960 to 1964. He was a National Republican Congressional Committee member since 1998. Professionally he was a member of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Illinois chamber of Commerce, the American Gas Association, the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, and was a director of the Defense Orientation Conference Association. Cam had a lifelong love of horses, cattle, sailing and flying. He was a member of the National Cutting Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, the Illinois Quarter Horse Association, American Hereford Association and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. Also, he was a member of The Supreme Council 33 Degree AA Scottish Rite of Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in Lexington, Mass.; Rockford County Club; the Anvil Club in Dundee; Scottish Rites Bodies-Valley of Freeport; Desert Stag Club in Wickenburg, Ariz.; the Los Caballeros Country Club in Wickenburg and a life member of P-38 Flyers. A brief memorial service will be held on Wednesday service will be held on Wednesday, Jan 14 at 4 p.m. at the Rockford Country Club, followed by a reception from 4:15 to 7:p.m. A service will be also held Friday, Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m. in Wickenburg, No.3, perks Ranch Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wickenburg Foundation for Performing Arts, P.O. Box 3554, Wickenburg, AZ, 85358; Desert Caballerso Western Museum, 21 N. frontier Street, Wickenburg, AZ 85358; Life Vessel Foundation, 34 N. Alamos Drive, Cottonwood, AZ, 86326; YMCA of Rock River Valley Northeast Branch Capital Campaign, 200 Y Boulevard, Rockford, Il. 61107; or the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, 711 N. Main Street, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, 711 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL, 61103 |
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