The Society of Professional Journalists is honoring veteran Chronicle reporter David Perlman with the Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement. Reporting for over seven decades, Perlman is revered for his comprehensive writings on complex developments in space, geology, paleontology, evolution, the environment and other science news. Perlman’s 78-year newspaper career began at age 12 with his junior high school paper. Perlman started writing at the Chronicle in 1940. After serving in World War II, he worked at the International Herald-Tribune before returning to the Chronicle in 1951.