At 42, Bob Perks was claimed by the very disease he fought so hard to eliminate. But a new charity is allowing his legacy to live on. Perks will be on everyone’s mind at this week’s Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament.
It was Labor Day 2005, and the people around Bob Perks sensed the end approaching. He’d been fighting skin cancer for some years and found himself bedridden at home.
Two friends intended to visit that day. Former Penn State basketball coach Bruce Parkhill was set to stop by late in the morning. Jeff Tarman, a producer for the Penn State Sports Network, was due later, delaying his arrival so Perks had a buddy nearby most of the day.
Early in the afternoon, Tarman called Perks’ wife, Doreen, to ask if he could bring anything for Bob.
“No,” Doreen said, “he’s gone.”