Richard Perchlik

Richard Perchlik (April 11, 1928 - April 24, 1988) was an active Political leader in Greeley, Colorado and a professor of Political Science at the University of Northern Colorado. Richard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Bessie (Kral) and John Prchlik (Siblings: John, Arthur, Ruth.) He received a Bachelor's degree in business from Ohio State University and then went into the Army to fight in the Korean War. After an honorable discharge he attended Harvard University and then received his 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. While studying in Boulder he married Sylvia (Marston) Perchlik and together they parented Thomas, David, Laura and Andrew. After a few years teaching at the University Lab School Richard Perchlik began working for Colorado State College (later became the University of Northern Colorado (UNC)) in 1961 as a Political Science professor. He served as the first Chair of the Political Science Department at the University for over two decades, helped found the UNC Faculty Senate and served on The Educational Planning Service. After his death, a Political Science scholarship was created in his name.

Throughout his teaching career he was active in the Democratic Party at local and state levels and once represented the state as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. His other public activities included serving as Chair of Colorado Common Cause (1973-1975), the state board of the American Civil Liberties Union, Gov. John Love's Commission on Respect for Law and the National Council on Social Studies.

Though he ran as 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 and, in order to make government more accessible, began broadcasting City Council meetings on local radio. It was during his first term as Mayor that he decided to run against Wayne N. Aspinall for the Fourth District US State Representative seat. Though Perchlik lost the race his challenge exposed Aspinall's political weaknesses that would be used to challenge him successfully in 1972. Richard was also the owner and operator of Sharktooth Ski Area from 1970 to 1985.