Kenneth Lynn Perrin, age 80, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away on February 8, 2018 at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Ken was born on July 29, 1937 in Los Angeles, California to Freeman Whitaker Perrin and Lois Bowen Perrin and spent his childhood in the San Gabriel Valley of California.
Ken graduated from Occidental College in 1959 with a degree in psychology. He received his Master’s Degree in speech pathology from California State University, Long Beach in 1964 and his PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences in 1969 from Stanford University Medical School.
After chairing the Department of Communicative Disorders at the University of the Pacific for several years, Ken became Director of Education and Scientific Programs at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in Washington DC. He then went on to be President of West Chester University from 1982 to 1991, President of the Council on Postsecondary Education in Washington DC from 1991 to 1993 and Chancellor and Senior Vice President at the University of Hawaii from 1993 to 1997. Ken ended his career as Chancellor of Indiana University South Bend from 1997 to 2002.
In all his university positions, Ken’s main emphasis was on students and how he could help them reach their full potential. He kept in touch with many of them over the years and was very proud of their accomplishments.
Among his many awards, Ken was a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from California State University, Long Beach.
Ken is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley Anne Perrin; daughter Lynnsey Ann Perrin Hee and son-in-law Michael Hee of Wayne, Pennsylvania; son Steven Kenneth Perrin and daughter-in-law Dorrie Perrin of Camarillo, California; his grandchildren, Thor Perrin Hee, Brooksey Perrin Hee, and Sea Sea Perrin Hee of Wayne, Pennsylvania and Alexandria Perrin of Camarillo, California; and his brother, Dale Perrin of San Juan Capistrano, California.
Ken was passionate about helping others. He helped countless young people realize their dreams of getting into college. Ken always was very active in the local communities in which he worked such as serving as Chairman of the United Way Campaign in West Chester, Pennsylvania, member of the Board of Directors of the Lyman House Museum in Oahu, Hawaii, and serving on the Board of Directors of the Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Indiana. One of his favorite activities was Brian’s Run, a 10k run to benefit the handicapped. He initiated West Chester University’s participation in this event which continues to this day.
Ken and his wife Shirley retired to Annapolis, Maryland in 2002 to be close to most of their grandchildren and to participate in one of their favorite activities, sailing. Their sailboat, Windwalker, brought him much joy and their grandchildren even more. Ken was a master story teller and filled a room with his big personality. He loved to spend time with his friends and family telling stories, listening and making everyone laugh. His ability to carry a conversation on practically any topic was second to none. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Stanford University Cancer Discovery Fund, in memory of Kenneth Perrin, online or by mail to Development Services, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309.

Please sign the family's online guestbook by visiting the link on this page.