Stetson University has lost two long-time friends and supporters in the College of Arts and Sciences. One a former dean and the other a supporter of our study abroad and faculty exchange program with Paedagogische Hochschule in Freiburg, Germany.

Robert Lee Perkins

Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Robert Lee Perkins passed away this week. A memorial service is planned for Lee Chapel on Saturday, March 31. His obituary follows.

Robert Lee Perkins passed away at age 87 on March 20. Son of the late John Marshall Perkins and Sara Davis Perkins of Jacksonville, Florida, Robert, better known as Bob, was born on June 23, 1930. After graduating from Stetson University in 1951, he attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity and later taught as a visiting professor. He also received an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and a Diploma from the Graduate School for Foreign Students at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Bob held professional appointments as assistant professor and associate professor at Murray State College in Murray, Kentucky; assistant professor at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Illinois; associate professor, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama; dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, professor and chair of the Department of Philosophy, and professor emeritus and senior research scholar at Stetson University.

Bob was an internationally known scholar in the thought of the 19^th century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. He founded the Søren Kierkegaard Society of North America and the Kierkegaard Newsletter and was the general editor of the 24-volume International Kierkegaard Commentary, to which he contributed a number of articles in addition to many articles in other journals and books, several of which he edited.

He was the recipient of many honors, grants, and distinguished scholar awards, including a Festschrift in his honor upon the completion of the IKC by Mercer University Press. Bob is survived by his wife, Sylvia Walsh Perkins of DeLand; son Todd Severin Perkins of Mobile, Alabama, daughter Leslie Perkins Scalfano of Huntsville, Alabama; step-son Erik Zachary Utterback of Astoria, Oregon; and five grandchildren. The family will receive condolences at the Allen Summerhill Funeral Home, 126 E. New York Avenue in DeLand from 12-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, followed by a burial service at Oakdale Cemetery at 2 p.m. and a memorial service in Bob’s honor at Stetson University Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, at 4 p.m.

 

Ingrid Wulf

On Saturday, March 24, one of Stetson University’s long-time friends will be laid to rest in Freiburg, Germany. Ingrid Wulf was one of the founders of Stetson’s study abroad and faculty exchange program with Paedagogische Hochschule, the Educational College, in Freiburg.

Gary Maris, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1986-1998, provided this commentary on Ingrid’s passing.

“The passing of Ingrid Wulf is the loss of one of Stetson’s greatest friends. Ingrid ran Stetson’s study abroad program in Freiburg, Germany, for many years beginning in the mid-1970s. Ingrid’s knowledge of the American educational experience was thorough, since she studied in Texas as a student herself. She went about her tasks and responsibilities with boundless energy, arranging faculty exchanges and short-term visits for Stetson faculty and insuring the comfort and safety of Stetson students at the Paedagogische Hochschule in Freiburg.

“An expert in the ways of both the PH and her local government, Ingrid provided social events for students and visiting faculty, and sage advice on everything from skiing in the nearby mountains to where one found the best restaurants and wine tasting opportunities.  She never lost touch with her many friends among students, faculty and administrators.  Her efforts resulted in the development of a Stetson-Freiburg community of friendships that lasted for over two decades and spanned a group of several dozen faculty and administrators.

“Ingrid is survived by her husband Herwig. Together, they showed visitors the wonders of the Black Forest and its quaint and lovely cities. Whether discussing fossils (Herwig’s passion), flowers (Ingrid’s passion), or politics (a joint passion), an evening with Ingrid and Herwig was stimulating and one of the delights of either Freiburg or DeLand.

“As Stetson absorbs the loss of one of its dearest friends and colleagues, we bask in the warmth of the memories of all our relationships with Ingrid Wulf.”