TRIBUTE
A GIANT LOST
Perrier’s legacy will live on through friends and those he mentored. ABrentGiant Lost
By Jim Goodwin
W
hen former Brunswick Bowling Products CEO Brent Perrier passed away on December 3 at age 63, bowling lost a giant who always considered the entire worldwide industry when making major decisions. Perrier spent 37 years in the business before turning over the CEO keys to protégé Corey Dykstra in August of this year. Friends and family now mourning Perrier are having a hard time believing that lung cancer claimed the long time smoker only a few months into the time when he was getting up every morning to golf or to travel to see family or friends. He was diagnosed only about three months before he passed away. Every great leader has favorite quotes that they pass along. A few of the most remembered from Perrier by Dykstra were: “That is why they call it work and that is why they pay us to do it;” or perhaps his favorite, said with a modest sense of confidence, “Those people who think they know everything are particularly annoying to those of us who really do know everything.” Perrier’s career in bowling began as a chemist for the Perry Austen Company, which was acquired by Brunswick. During that time, he is credited with the invention of a glow-in-the-dark lane finish that earned a U.S. patent and led to the development of Brunswick’s very profitable Cosmic Bowling concept. His vast international experience took him to six continents during his long career. He served as the leader and V.P. of Worldwide Sales, Capital Equipment and Aftermarket Products before earning the CEO position. He leaves behind his wife Rose, four children, and a passion for travel, golf, bowling, and collecting automobiles.
In almost four decades traveling the world for Brunswick and bowling, Perrier made countless friends. Here are thoughts from a few of them: “I will miss him dearly, probably more than most, but trust that there are many stories out, and many [people] that he made feel just as special as he did me. Brent led Brunswick through a very challenging time when the international bowling market suffered quite a decline. He did it by putting his faith in our team and did a remarkable job making and communicating challenging decisions that were not only best for us, but for the industry. That will be his greatest legacy that everyone will remember.” Corey Dykstra ===
16
IBI
January 2018
“I knew Brent since the mid ‘90s. In the past few years we grew closer due to his personal and organizational love of the sport. He brightened the world around him and could get the best out of everybody. He will be missed.” Kevin Dornberger ===
Corey Dykstra
“We both had a love of live music and Brent especially enjoyed sending me videos of his many concert trips around the world. He especially enjoyed those trips when he could include his children. I will miss my golf and concerts with Brent, but most of all I will miss the many philosophical discussions I had with my dear friend. Rest in peace Brent, and enjoy those heavenly concerts!” Ron Wood