Bärbel Perkins

It is with deep love and gratitude that we announce the passing of Barbel “Barb” Rau Perkins, 86, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother "Oma", great-grandmother "Urgroßmutter", extraordinary civil engineer, and beloved friend. She passed peacefully on March 21, 2026, after losing her battle with vascular dementia in Henderson, Nevada.

Born in Berlin, Germany in 1939, she grew up in Auerbach. When she got a little older, she later decided to move to Gaildorf to improve her education at a better school living with her grandparents. Barb, as a child, was born during World War II. As she got older, this horrendous experience later shaped her into the strong, resilient, and stoic woman so many admired. She was raised in the Lutheran church, a foundation of faith, that remained an important part of her life. Despite those early hardships, she carried a sharp mind, a warm heart, and a quiet spirit of adventure throughout her life.

As a young girl, Barb traveled to and from school by train each day—a journey that fostered her independence and determination. She went on to pursue her passion in civil engineering at a time when few women entered the field, reflecting both her courage and ambition. Known for her meticulous designs and innovative thinking, Barb contributed to projects that improved transportation systems and public spaces, leaving a lasting impact on the communities she served. In the United States, Barb "Oma" also helped run and do the bookkeeping for her husband’s dream businesses; together, they built a storage unit and truck depot that became beloved by many. She balanced her professional accomplishments with raising her family, instilling in her children the values she lived by, integrity, perseverance, kindness, and faith.

Fate stepped in when she met the love of her life, Thomas, while he was serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. Their connection was instant and enduring. After his discharge in the late 1950s, Barb bravely traveled by ship to Buffalo, New York where they were reunited and married on December 23, 1961, beginning nearly 63 years of love, laughter, and partnership. Tom affectionately called her “Schatz,” a German term of endearment that perfectly captured the depth of their bond.

Her faith remained central throughout her life. Barb, and her husband Tom, in a selfless act of love, adopted their two children, baptizing them in the Luthern Church. They lovingly raised their children in the Lutheran church— a blessing that shaped their family and reflected deep compassion and devotion.

Barb "Oma" found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments. She loved tending to her gardens, getting lost in a good book, crocheting many of her clothes, as well as her children's, right down to beautifully crochet afghans. Later is life she also enjoyed working on her stamp collection — a passion she began at just four years of age. Each stamp represented a small piece of history she treasured from all over the country. She also enjoyed playing German and American music, especially loving the Beatles, and took great delight in letting her grandchildren explore and play with the many instruments she had collected over the years, filling her home with sound and laughter.

She had a deep love for German traditions, especially during the holidays. Christmas was always magical in her home, filled with handmade decorations, cookies baked from scratch, and traditions lovingly passed down through generations. She especially cherished time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called her "Oma" — decorating cookies, doing arts and crafts, and creating memories around the table. With a playful spirit, she would tease her grandchildren about “getting the wooden spoon,” if they were being naughty — something said with a smile through her own children, who knew it wasn’t always just a joke when they were growing up.

Barb "Oma" made delicious homemade meals and truly enjoyed food to the fullest. She never left a crumb on her plate and had a special love for traditional German dishes — cheesecake was always a favorite indulgence. She also appreciated life’s simple comforts, including her cozy loungewear, heated blanket, and quiet moments at home.

Though she was shaped by a difficult early life and carried herself with a bit of a quiet "stoic" strength, those closest to her knew her deep warmth, steady love, and gentle way of caring for others. Her patience was immeasurable, her attention to detail unmatched, and her presence a constant source of comfort.

Barb "Oma" will be remembered for her warm laugh, her strength and resilience, her love of family traditions, and the way she made every holiday feel special. She built not only roads and bridges in her career, but also in life, rich in love, purpose, and connection.

Her journey began across an ocean, but her heart found its home in America—from Buffalo, New York, to her final years in Henderson, Nevada—where she built a life centered on family. She was a guiding light to her daughter, Christine, grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as other family members, who personally cared for her to make every day count right to the bitter end, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and unwavering devotion.

She is survived by her children, Christine Perkins Erickson (Dan Sauls) and Todd Perkins; her grandchildren, Felicia Tarin (Nicolas) and Chelsea Erickson (Joseph Attinello); and her great-grandchildren, Adelynn and Jaymeson Tarin, Arcadia, Joseph III, and Alaric Attinello, along with many relatives still living in Germany. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Perkins; her grandson, Kyle Thomas High; as well as her parents, Margareta (Gretl) Sofefa Lodes Rau; Hans Georg Walter Rau, and her sibling's, sister Brigitte Rau, and brother Hans Rau, all who lived in Germany.

A Celebration of Life for Barb "Oma" will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1900 Veterans Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005. A short service will be at the VA Chapel at 8:30 prompt. Following the ceremony, she will be laid to rest with her late husband, Thomas, at the columbarium, SECTION B 8, ROW B, SITE 107.

"Barb's "Oma's" legacy of kindness, generosity, and passion will continue to inspire us all, reminding us to live each day with purpose. She will be deeply missed, but her light will shine on forever in our hearts."