Donald S. Perkins, former president, chief executive officer and chairmain of Jewel Cos., died at his home in Northfield, IL, March 25. He was 88.

Mr. Perkins was named president of Jewel in 1965 at the age of 38 and then CEO and chairman of the board in 1970. His leadership at Jewel was marked by rapid expansion and exploration of multiple retail formats.

He retired from Jewel in 1983 and devoted himself to championing strong corporate governance, serving on numerous for-profit and non-profit boards, including Time Warner, AT&T, Cummins Engine, the Ford Foundation and Northwestern University.

Mr. Perkins was also instrumental in the founding of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and served as its first chairman.

Mr. Perkins, born in St. Louis, received his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his master's in business administration from Harvard Business School. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jane Phillips Perkins; his brother, Bob Perkins, and sister, Joan Gerrard; his children, Betsy Perkins Hill, Susan Perkins, Frank Phillips and Elizabeth Phillips-Sorich, and daughter-in-law Pat Mayland Perkins; eight grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis Babb Perkins; his son, Jervis Perkins; and his grandson, Jeremy Hill.

A celebration of his life will be held 3-6 p.m. May 16 at Shore Acres Club, Lake Bluff, IL.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Donald S. Perkins Scholarship Fund at Northwestern University, c/o Alumni Relations, 1201 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60208.