Richard Perchlik

Richard A. Perchlik (April 11, 1928 - April 24, 1988) was a political leader in Greeley, Colorado and a professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Colorado. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service as mayor of Greeley, an office to which he was elected in 1969 and 1971.

Early life

Perchlik was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Bessie (Kral), and John Prchlik. His siblings included John, Arthur, and Ruth. He received a bachelor's degree in business from Ohio State University and served in the Army during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he attended Harvard University. He went on to receive a Master's degree in Education from Ohio State University and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Colorado, Boulder. During his studies, he added an 'e' to the spelling of his Czech name.

Career

In 1961, Perchlik became a professor at Colorado State College (later the University of Northern Colorado (UNC)). He was the first Chair of the Political Science Department, a post he held for over two decades. He also helped found the UNC Faculty Senate and participated in the university's The Educational Planning Service.[1] After his death, the University created a Richard A. Perchlik Political Science scholarship.[2]

Active in the Democratic Party, Perchlik attended several local and state party conventions as a delegate and at local and state levels and was an alternate delegate at the 1972 and 1980 Democratic National Conventions.[3] Perchlik served as Chair of Colorado Common Cause from 1973 to 1975. He was a member of the board of directors the state board for Colorado's American Civil Liberties Union and the Colorado Commission on Respect for Law, as well as the National Council on Social Studies.[4]

Though Perchlik was a Democrat in a heavily Republican area, he was elected Mayor of Greeley twice, in 1969 and 1971. As Mayor, he initiated several public works projects. Most iconic of these was Bittersweet Park, which provided flood control to low-income neighborhoods and an asset for the development of an upper-middle-class neighborhood. Also, to make the city's government more accessible, he began broadcasting City Council meetings on local radio.

In 1970, Perchlik ran for the Democratic nomination against incumbent U.S. Representative Wayne N. Aspinall in Colorado's 4th district. Aspinall was a conservative Democrat, while Perchlik ran on a platform that emphasized environmental conservation. Though Perchlik lost the race, his challenge exposed Aspinall's political weaknesses, and Aspinall lost his seat in 1972.

In addition to his academic and political careers, Perchlik was owner and operator of the Sharktooth Ski Area, a local family-oriented recreation area, from 1970 to 1985.[5]

Perchlik died of cancer in Greeley on April 24, 1988.

Family

While working on his doctoral degree, Perchlik married Sylvia (Marston) Perchlik. They were the parents of four children -- Thomas, David, Laura, and Andrew.

References
  1. University of Northern Colorado Archives
  2. University of Northern Colorado Office of Financial Aid
  3. Political Scientists and the 1980 National Party Convention Kathleen L. Barber PS, Vol. 14, No. 1 (Winter, 1981), pp. 6-8
  4. Greeley Tribune, "Obituaries," Tuesday, April 26, 1988
  5. Greeley Tribune newspaper article on local place names
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