Roger Wayne Perkins, 83, Of Olean, NY
Roger Wayne Perkins “true gentleman”
OLEAN, NY—Roger Wayne Perkins, 83, of Olean, NY, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Absolut Care of Allegany, Allegany.
Born on Tuesday, February 23, 1943, in Russell, PA, he was a son of Howard and Fern Ball Perkins. On February 13, 1965 in the Shinglehouse Methodist Church, he married Rose Anne Bixby, who survives.
Roger started school in one room country schools in Crystal, PA and later in Millport, PA and was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1961 in Shinglehouse, PA. He played basketball and baseball and was in the band and chorus. He had many fond memories of working on his grandfather’s farm and hunting with his father, grandfather, and uncles.
Roger was a veteran of the US Air Force from 1962-1968. He was trained in Ground Communications Repair and TDDL Systems and served as a Buck Sergeant at a radar site near Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada during the Vietnam War era. He also played baseball while in the USAF.
After separation from the Air Force, Roger studied at Valparaiso Technical Institute, Valparaiso, Indiana for three years and earned his Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. He was employed at Singer-Link Division in Binghamton, NY as a Lab Tech working on driver trainer simulators and other simulator hardware.
After moving to Olean, he worked at AVX for four years and then began a 23 year career at Dresser-Rand as a Test Instrumentation Engineer. Roger made several trips for Dresser-Rand including to England, Brazil, Nova Scotia, and in the USA. While on vacation to Alaska, he saw one of Dresser’s oil pipeline compressor installations that he had helped to do testing on. He retired in 2003.
Wherever Roger found himself to be living in America, he always found a bowling league. He enoyed the competition and friendships developed. Roger was inducted into the Twin Tiers USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2014.
He also enjoyed “birding” with his wife, woodworking, his tractors, fly fishing and he had a passion for photography and managed an extensive collection of slides and pictures covering 60 years. Also, he enjoyed the shows and orchestra performances at Chautauqua Institution.
Roger had a thirst for knowledge and loved to read. His curiosity about all things probable led to his special knack of fixing whatever broke or dealing with any problem that arose.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Anne, of Olean; a daughter, Michelle (Ronald) Kowalewski of Buffalo, NY; a son, Brian (Margaret) Perkins of Portville, NY; a grandson, Cody Perkins of San Antonio, Texas; three sisters, Joan (Edward) Philips of Mt. Morris, NY, Nancy (Charles) Barth of Hendersonville, NC, and Barbara Headley of Port Allegany, PA; four brothers, Ken (Kathy) Perkins of Lewis Run, PA, Randy (Cindy) Perkins of Allegany, NY, Tim (Judy) Perkins of Milton, NH, and Mark (Tammy) Perkins of New Wilmington, PA; a brother-in-law, Frank (Virginia) Bixby III of Hoschton, GA; a sister-in-law, Sally (Spencer) Schofield of Williamsville, NY; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Roger was predeceased by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and a brother-in-law, Randy Headley.
In keeping with Roger’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. Private graveside funeral services will be held in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse, PA with Pastor Len Findley of the Ceres United Methodist Church, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Roger’s name may be made to the Olean Food Pantry, 8 Leo Moss Drive, Olean, NY 14760 or to the SPCA Cattaraugus County, 2944 Rt. 16N, Olean, NY 14760.
Roger’s family entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.
To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Roger, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.