The Steps Add Up

Superwalking Couple Supports Accounting Scholarships

:: Walking in gratitude

:: Nepal to Death Valley

:: Compulsive, not competitive

:: Read entire story

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COMPULSIVE, NOT COMPETITIVE

Ron describes himself as compulsive, not competitive: “I never do anything in moderation.” He says that most long-distance runners and walkers in his age group don’t do it competitively—“It’s
more for the camaraderie, sharing the misery and that sort of thing.”

Ron says his love of challenges is a quality he admired in one of his accounting professors at the UO, the late Charles Johnson—“He had a
can-do approach that really motivated
his students.” The scholarships in accounting will be named in memory of Johnson.

The couple also made a recent outright gift of more than $50,000 to the UO College of Education in memory of Ron’s parents. His father, Laurence “Toby” Perkins, received his doctorate in education from the UO in 1965 and worked as assistant superintendent for the Eugene School District. His mother, Evelyn, was a teacher and counselor at Sheldon High School in Eugene.

Ron says he and Carol are not anywhere near slowing down. Their upcoming treks include the French portion of St. James’ Way—about 500 miles—and the Haute Route from Chamonix, France, to Zermatt, Switzerland, a ten-day hike through
the Alps.