The Rotary Balita no. 796 (May 10, 1956)

In less than two weeks the Rotary Club of Manila has suffered two considerable losses in the death of Past President EA Perkins and Rotarian Hank Marsmen. For old and new Rotarians, the familiar face of EA Perkins, his serene advices and his outstanding Rotary spirit has been a guiding factor since the first days of the Rotary Club of Manila. For EA Perkins had joined our club in 1923, four years after the club was organized. In the last few years, EA had lived in semi-retirement but his Rotary activities had never ceased and commuting between Baguio and Manila. both clubs have benefited considerably from his spirit. EA Perkins had a perfect record of attendance and either in Baguio or in Manila he would keep his record intact. And whenever Rotary needed help he was the first one to offer. Whenever fellowship demanded an extraordinary expense EA Perkins was willing to contribute. In recent years, for all to remember, was the New Year's party given at his residence in Manila during the visit of Rotary International President Bru Brunnier and the Fellowship gatherings held in his house in Baguio during district conferences or interclub visits. "EA" who was 68 years old when he died, was born of American parentage in Bangkok, May 6, 1887. He was elected to membership of the Rotary Club of Manila in May, 1923. He was President of the Rotary Club for two consecutive terms, 1927-1929. He was Chairman of various important committees and member of the Past Presidents Advisory Council. He graduated from Brooklyn Law School, St. Lawrence University, New York, came to the Philippines in 1908 as stenographer, worked in the Department of Justice and the Solicitor's General Office before starting private law practice in 1912. He was Consul for Thailand in 1931 and then Consul General in 1939 for the same country. At the time of his death, he was Chairman and Director of Heacock's, President of the Philippine Match Company and Director of Industrial Textiles Manufacturing Company. - "Hank" Marsman succumbed to heart ailment at 2:45 A.M. Saturday, May 5th, at the Saint Joseph Hos pital. He was 64 years old. He is survived by his widow, Mary Angus Blythe and his only daughter Ann Petronella and son-in-law George W. Drysdale. He was a pre-war member of our Club and his membership December 29, 1949. For several years he was the was reactivated on Chairman of our Club's Christmas Committee. He was also a member of various Chambers of Commerce and social clubs such as the Manila Polo Club, Manila Yacht Club, Manila Club, University Club, Casino Español, etc. Born in Amsterdam, Holland, on July 29, 1892. Hank came to the Philippines in January, 1919, as a young engineer and sugar technologist. After his arrival here he joined the Malabon Sugar Company as Vice-President and Manager. Because of his deep attachment for the country and people, Hank decided to become a Filipino citizen and his naturalization on January 5, 1934, was sponsored by the late President Quezon himself. After working with the sugar firm for awhile. the young technologist believed that hunting for gold in the vast regions of Mountain Province could be more interesting and offered wider opportunity for advancement, and early in 1924 he moved to Baguio to search for the precious metal, starting the development of the Itogon Mines in October of the same year. Inspired with his success in the mining venture, Hank organized Marsman & Company in 1929 that developed into a group of 24 entities which, prior to the outbreak of the war, was successfully engaged in mining, lumber, construction, transportation, smelting, financing, trading and insurance in the Philippines, Hongkong, Burma, Sumatra. San Francisco and London. Hank was also said to be the first to organize a complete management, operations and supply ser vice for the mining industry. He was also responsible for the growth of commercial aviation here and at one time he was President of the Philippine Aerial Taxi Company. His interests in the Philippine Mining Company included those of the Itogon Mining Co., Palawan Quicksilver Mines, Palawan Consolidated, Coco Grove, San Mauricio and Suyoe Gold Mines. He is also president of Marsman & Company and Chairman of the Board of Marsman Investment Company. Hank had not been enjoying good health after the war. He suffered heart attack in Paracale in 1954 while inspecting one of his mines. Last year, Hank and Mary took a trip abroad in connection with the operation of their new mines, After their return, Hank suffered a relapse and later had to be confined in the hospital until he expired.