Guest Book
Please share your memories of Clyde.
45 entries.
Our family of skiers were saddened to hear of Clyde Perfect's passing. We have now introduced 3 generations of skiers to our local hills in Indiana. He created something wonderful for all of us to enjoy every winter, and we will miss him. God bless his family.
I just recently heard about Clyde's passing, but I wanted to let you know how much your family shaped my life. I got my first job there, and that made me feel so proud. Clyde, Chip, and Dave made me feel significant. I enjoyed being part of the first crew that worked in the "new" rental shop during the first lodge expansion. Farewell, Clyde, you will be missed.
Having had the pleasure of serving on the PNS Ski Patrol for many years, it was always interesting, instructive and sometimes amusing to observe Clyde manage his family business and interact with all manner of people. Others here have jokingly commented on his ever-present hammer. As a patroller, I was more transfixed with his wire-cutter pliers—which he never hesitated to use to cut off the day pass of the occasional misbehaving skier.
We patrollers always knew Clyde had our backs. On the grander scale, Henry Ford’s observation that the whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, then do it. Clyde’s vision, daring and hands-on approach created an amazing enterprise in PNS. So to Clyde’s legacy I say, “you did well, perhaps much better than even you could have imagined “.
Thank you for sharing your dream with me, truly was awesome! Peace to Clyde + family
Art + Jan
32 years patrol Awsume
My great grandmother was Mildred Jean so all my memories of Clyde are from when I was very young but he was always sweet and patient to a little girl that talked constantly and was always in the way lol. Thoughts and Prayers to Aunt Ella May and family.
Ella Mae, This one’s for you!
PNS had closed for the season and Bill and I trekked to Vermont for some skiing and visiting with his parents. While skiing at Stratton Mountain on Sunday, Bill and I impromptu excitedly and nervously decided (after 6.5 years) to get married at the top of the mountain on Monday! We were able to make all the arrangements—line up the minister, buy a white Bogner one piece, flowers from the grocery, the license, the photographer, champagne for the toast and marital counseling in the gondola to the top, and it happened! When we returned home we heard that PNS was going to reopen that weekend! So we were skiing and gathered with friends at the top of Center Stage when folks started talking about what they did the week before..... (We has decided not to tell anyone but we were sending out surprise announcements). Well it was hard to keep our secret and had to fess up! So we shared our story and a couple runs later at the top of the mountain we heard an announcement over the PA to come down to the lodge because Ella Mae had Italian Wedding soup for us!!! What a wonderful surprise— we loved it Ella Mae! That was March 21, 1998. I think that was the only time PNS reopened after being closed for the season!
I heard there was a ski area being built. I rode my bicycle around to find it. Going back Perfect lane I find Clyde and Chip all covered with mud, putting in water lines. As a Vermont kid with no skiing nearby I asked about buying a season pass. Clyde said WHAT? We haven't thought about that yet. Have you ever taught skiing? I said well yeah, but! Pretty soon I was in Tarry's basement explaining the American Skiing Technique to a bunch of potential instructors. From that point on PNS has improved my winters 100 fold and I will be forever grateful.
Many years later I retired from the ski school and Clyde said guess what we named that new run we just made? The Hoyt Connection. I said WHAT? And a tear rolls down my cheek as I type this.
Our sincere condolences to the Perfect Family We knew Clyde both as a valued customer of Bobcat Equipment and as a consumer of His Perfect North Slopes. Our family first got started skiing by winning free ski lessons for the entire family at a Fairfield Rotary Event and now our grandkids are enjoying what Clyde built. I was always impressed how Clyde could fix anything by using his claw hammer. Clyde’s legacy is only getting stronger with his family succession of Perfect North Slopes & Beyond
It’s been a long time since I last saw my great uncle Clyde. Lots of fun memories at the slopes and at Gam and Grandads house. First my Grandma Ellen Perfect and a few weeks later now Clyde. Lots of love to the Perfect family and many prayers.
Clyde and Chip always opened Perfect North for our special skiers every January. The whole Perfect North family has always gone the extra mile to make our athletes feel welcome. Clyde was a special man and will be remembered by our special athletes and volunteers. Thank you for being such a great family!,
With our deepest sympathies. Clyde will not be forgotten. He was a someone I really looked up to him as not just a business man but more importantly a family man. It was his words that helped inspire my own business slogan "Ya jus gotta want it" His legacy will inspire our family to do our best everyday.
Thirty years ago, when I was a sophomore in college, I decided to take a semester off and work. I got a job with a boss who terrified many of the people who worked for him. A boss who expected a lot and worked just as hard (or harder) in return. A man who yelled a lot, fired my friend on the spot, and had no qualms about saying whatever the hell he wanted. I will never forget being in the parking lot with him when he told a young man who illegally parked in a handicapped spot to prove to him that he was handicapped (thank God, for everyone's sake, he wasn't and finally gave in and moved his car).
He was also a man who, on many occasions, took the time to tuck my gloves into my sleeves so I didn't freeze and gave me the awesome privilege of being the only girl allowed to drive the quadrunner. A man who taught me that the guy in the bathroom plunging the toilet might be the owner, so you should not be quick to make assumptions about anyone. A man who, when I decided again years later that I needed another break from college, had his son give me a long talk about why it was important for me to get a college degree. A man who I got my first puppy from and when he handed her to me I said "I'm naming HER after you". A man who took a crazy risk and turned his farm into a ski slope. A man who will always hold a very special place in my heart. My heart hurts knowing he is gone. I am forever grateful for the memories of that time in my life and the many life lessons that I learned from him.
Prayers for the entire family....Clyde was a great person and cared for all people and he will be remembered for a long time! God Bless !
Clyde was a great guy and I learned a lot working for him. I was a snow maker for a couple of years and he would always bring us breakfast at 5:30am after we had been working all night. He was one of the best bosses I’ve ever had, he will be missed greatly.
My most sincere condolences to the entire Perfect family. His hard work, kindness, and legacy will live on through many generations at the Perfect North Slopes ski area. He will be missed. Love and Prayers to the family. 🙏🙏
Sending lots of love to the Perfect’s family.
What a great man! Proud to call him my friend!! Thoughts and prayers to all the family!
Perfect North was my first job and Clyde was an absolutely wonderful boss. He had such a great sense of humor and always showed so much appreciation to those of us who worked for him. I'll never forget him joking with me that he bet I'd never thought I'd be working for Mr. Perfect! I've never had a boss who made work so enjoyable and it obviously made an impression on me. My condolences and prayers to his family!
Chip and family, and Perfect North Slopes family.
Clyde was an independent and inspirational man. He did do much for his community and family that will never be known. What a leader contributor to the ski community in the Midwest and nation. Clyde was well regarded by ski slope operators for his commitment to the joy and safety of ski and winter sports. His legacy lives on in his family and at Perfect North Slopes.
Clyde was very supportive of 4-H. I recall him bringing roasting ears to the fair and grill them for all livestock exhibitors to enjoy. A very kind and generous man.
My condolences to the Perfect family!