Lambert Perina

Lambert Joseph Perina, age 103, passed away on September 21,2025. He was born south of Clarkson, Nebraska, on June 25, 1922, to Josef & Emma (Kvetensky) Perina. At the age of 6 months, the family moved to a farm they purchased 4 miles northeast of Creston, NE. He attended grade school in District 20, rural Stanton County, and graduated from Madison High School in 1939. He graduated from Lincoln School of Commerce in 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, earning his Navy Wings of Gold in 1943. He served in World War II from 1942 until 1946 as a Marine Air Corps fighter/photo reconnaissance pilot in the Asiatic/Pacific Theatre of War. His duty stations were Okinawa, Korea, & Tsingtao, China. Upon release from active duty, he attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Education. He taught at the Clarkson High School from 1950 to February 1952, at which time he was recalled to active military service during the Korean War. He served in Korea for 13 months as a jet fighter/photo reconnaissance pilot with the U.S. Marine Air Corps. He was awarded the following medals: American Defense; American Campaign; Asiatic/Pacific; W. W. II Victory; Korean Service; United Nations Service; National Defense; & Republic of Korea.

Upon release from active duty in 1954, he returned to the University of Nebraska and completed his master’s degree in Secondary Education in 1955. He joined the workforce of the Civil Aeronautics Administration (now known as the Federal Aviation Administration) in June 1955 as an Air Traffic Control Tower Specialist and was assigned to the Sioux Falls, S.D. Airport Control Tower. He was later promoted to a Personnel Specialist position in the Regional Headquarters in Kansas City, MO, where he remained for some 21 years in a variety of managerial positions. He also remained in the Marine Air Corps Organized Reserves and retired from the Marines in 1973 after attaining the rank of Colonel. He amassed over 4000 hours of flying time in 32 different types of airplanes. He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1979 when he & his wife moved back to Clarkson.

He was united in marriage to Delores M. Matthies on August 17, 1947, at New Zion Presbyterian Church in Clarkson with Reverend B.A. Filipi officiating.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores, on March 19, 2016, after almost 69 years of marriage. Also preceded in death by his parents & one sister, Mildred. He was a life-long member of New Zion Presbyterian Church, where he served terms as Elder and was a member of the Lyra Choir for over 30 years.

He served the Clarkson Community in many areas: President of the Board of Education, Clarkson School District #58; President of CBJ Lodge #28; Adjutant/Quartermaster of VFW Post 6419; Commander of VFW District 15; State Chaplain for the VFW Department of Nebraska; Adjutant/Quartermaster for Clarkson American Legion Post 188; Clarkson Historical Society Board of Directors; Clarkson City Planning Commission; Chairman of Board of Directors of Clarkson Low Cost Housing Authority; President of Lions Club; Colfax County Veterans Service Committee; & many other local/county special committees. Also served as President of Parent/Teacher Organization, Overland Park, Kansas, and served as a Boy Scout Leader in Kansas. He was named Czech Festival "Krajan" (King) in 1995 and was awarded the Clarkson Commercial Club's Outstanding Community Service plaque in 2001. He enjoyed bowling for over 50 years & belonged to pinocle and bridge clubs.

Lambert is survived by son Martin(Linda) Perina of Windsor CT; son Dean of Birmingham, AL; Grandsons Chris(Anna) Perina, of San Antonio, TX; Clay(Abbie) Perina, of Paola, KS; Michael Perina of Enfield, CT; Granddaughter Elizabeth(John) Doherty of Raymore, MO; Great Grandchildren Jessica, Tristan, Georgia, Dalton, Lindsey, Colton and Lukasz; many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Clarkson, NE.