Charles "Bob" Robert Perry
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Bob's obituary
Charles Robert “Bob” Perry
March 29, 1938 – January 12, 2026
Charles Robert “Bob” Perry, 87, of Westminster, Colorado, passed away on January 12, 2026. Born in Vera, Illinois, to Edgar “Fuzz” Perry and Pauline Mae Kennedy, Bob spent many years in the Peoria area, where he graduated from East Peoria High School in 1956. A proud member of the football and track teams, he set a record in the shot put at the Illinois High School Association championship and was active in the lettermen’s club.
After high school, Bob pitched in Peoria’s amateur baseball league—now recognized as the oldest amateur baseball league in America—and the league was featured in the PBS documentary There Will Be Baseball on WTVP. His love for sports extended to shuffleboard, where he became a nationally respected player. On November 4, 2011, Bob was inducted into the Table Shuffleboard Association Hall of Fame, honored for his skill, sportsmanship, and dedication to promoting the game. Known as the “Pepsi Kid” for his clean lifestyle, Bob mentored countless players and helped grow the sport across the U.S.
Bob began his career as a meat cutter in 1959, quickly rising to manager at Jewel Tea Company. He continued this work during his Army service and later at Eagle Foods until retirement, while maintaining his passion for shuffleboard throughout his life.
He married Terry Hickey in 1958 and later LaDonna Rhea in 1968. Bob is survived by his sons Chuck Perry (Denise Perry), Tracy Hayes, and Randy Hayes; his former daughter-in-law’s Christa Reinhardt and Sue Hayes; eleven grandchildren—Cheyenne (Perry) Breda (Timothy Breda), Ethan Perry, Nicholas Perry, Brooke (Perry) Baldridge (Cody Baldridge), Grace Perry, Tyler Perry, Sydney Perry, Cael Perry, Austin Hayes (Katie Hayes), Brandon Hayes (Sherika Hayes) and Karena Hayes along with his great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son Tim Perry, sisters Carolyn “Sue” (Perry) Hall and Karen “Kay” (Perry) Brown, and nephew Edgar Brown.
Bob will be remembered for his generosity, integrity, and love of family and friends. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through sports and mentorship.
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