Robin Rheta Perry

Robin Rheta nee James Perry, the second daughter of Leona Leah Brown and Harold James, born on November 4, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, recently passed away on April 14, 2024, following a series of illnesses.

She was preceded in death by mother, Leona; father, Harold; sister, Carole Lee James; grandson, Graydon Kimbrough Perry; and family friends, Esther and Wayne Fites.

Robin is survived by husband, Fred M. Perry, Jr.; sons, Christopher James Perry and David Wayne Perry; daughter, Sara Lynn Perry; grandchildren, Jay Min Perry and Nora Kimbrough Perry.

Robin was a life-long Christian with memberships at Griffith Lutheran in Griffith, Indiana, Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Indiana and at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, Florida.

Along with her sister, Robin played in the Griffith High School Marching Band.

During her High School years, she spent summers with Esther and Wayne Fites on their farm in Deedsville, Indiana, which built self-confidence for new opportunities coming her way.

Robin graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing with jobs in Billings, Montana, Salt Lake City, Utah, Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, California, Redwood City, California, Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles, California, Whiting Clinic in Whiting, Indiana and Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana.

Robin was a fan of both Purdue University and Indiana University football and basketball programs as well as the Chicago Cubs, even attending Spring Training in Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ.

After retirement, Robin and Fred crisscrossed the USA from Maine to San Diego and Florida to Washington state to attend chemistry and medicine conventions.

Robin enjoyed many hours collecting shells on Florida’s famous beaches, including Sanibel Island, where she lived for twenty-two years.

She was most proud of transporting her sons and daughters to school from Kindergarten to High School and on occasionally college, through bad and good weather without being late. Her efforts lead to the education of her children, Christopher earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Engineering and Architecture from the University of Illinois, David earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Chicago and his Masters Degree at New York University and Cambridge University, and earned his Doctorate from New York University, and Sara earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in English at Vanderbilt University and her and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Syracuse University.

Her all-time favorite activity was flying excursions with Christopher and sharing a glass of wine at home.

Robin loved and cherished family as only a wife and mother can, rest in peace.