Rev. Robert K. Perry 

I was born in a two-story house on Main Street in Salmon, Idaho, the Home of Dr. Goggins, who used the house as a temporary hospital until the new hospital was completed across the street. I grew up between our home in Salmon and my Grandparents ranch in Tendoy, Idaho. I am a fourth generation Lemhi County resident on both sides of my family. I attended school in Salmon and graduated from Salmon High School in 1967. I enlisted in the United States Navy in the summer on 1967 and served honorably as a Jet Mechanic until February of 1972.

I returned back to Salmon where I got a job working for the local telephone company. I started as a lineman and worked my way up to a communications technician, working for Lemhi Telephone Company, CenturyTel and CenturyLink. I retired from these three phone companies after 35 years in 2007. During this time, I also was a member of the Salmon Volunteer Fire Department for 34 years, serving the last 13 years as the Fire Chief of both Salmon Fire Department and Lemhi County Fire Protection District #1. I also was a member of the Salmon EMTs for 15 years, a member of the local playhouse group for 10 years, a member of the Lemhi County Planning and Zoning and an active leader in the baseball teams for my children.

I found that I couldn’t say no and in 1988, I enrolled in a Formation For Ministry class sponsored by the Episcopal Church. For five years I attended classes, most by written lessons and traveling to the Twin Falls area for formal instruction classes one a month, In January, I was ordained a Deacon and in October 1994, I was ordained as a priest in my home church in Salmon. This is a profession the I have loved and been blessed to be a part of for over 31 years.

In 1976, my Father was the Master of Lemhi Lodge #11 and they held a special bicentennial lodge meeting on top of Lemhi Pass, this is the site where Lewis and Clark first found water traveling toward the Pacific Ocean. I was only part of hauling props to and from there. After a few years, I asked my father why I had never been asked to join the Masons. He smiled and said that I had just asked the right question. I received my degrees at Lemhi Lodge #11, the Lodge my Father and Uncle were both Past Masters, and I was raised as a Master Mason in March of 1985. Since that time, I have remained active in our Lodge, a Past Associate Guardian for 12 years for our local Jobs Daughter Bethel and I am a Past Patron, several times, in Hugh Duncan #2 OES.
In 1996, I was honored to be chosen to go on the Holy Land Trip for Clergy by the Idaho Grand Commandery. This is a trip that changed my life. What an amazing experience to walk on the same ground that Our Lord, Jesus Christ also walked on. To make it even more remarkable, we were there during Good Friday and Easter. We walked the same path that Jesus struggled through on Good Friday and then we did a Easter Service at the tomb. A very moving time for us all.

In 2005, MWPGM James C Herndon asked me to serve as his Grand Chaplain. This is an honor that I have been able to repeat for so many more MWPGMs. These times have been something that I am extremely proud to have been honored to perform.

I am a Member of Lemhi Lodge #11 AF & AM, Salmon Chapter #14, RAM, Jeremiah Council #9 CM. Salmon Commandery #9 KT, Tri-Valley College No. 178, Redemption Tabernacle No. XL, St, Charles Conclave RCC, Idaho Charter Order of Knights Preceptor, a Knight Commander of the Temple and Florence Chapter #79 OES. I am Secretary/Recorder for the Salmon York Rite Bodies, Excellent Grand Prelate Emeritus with the Idaho Grand Commandery, I was Outstanding Mason for District # 1 in 2000.

Robert and his first wife were married for 47 years, until her passing in 2015. They had two Children, Lisa in Nampa, ID and Will in McCall, ID. Four grandchildren and three Great-grandchildren. Robert and Sharon, also had been married for 47 years before her husband passed in 2016, were married in 2018 by our MWPGM James C Herndon in Salmon. As mentioned before, Robert has stayed busy in local groups. He was firefighter of the year for the State of Idaho in 2000. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Idaho State Fire School in 2007. Robert is a long-time member of the Foundation Board of Directors for Steele Memorial Hospital.