Louis C. Perez, 86, Professor Emeritus of Spanish at Penn State, passed away Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009 at his home in State College. He was born in DePue, Ill. Feb. 7, 1923, the youngest child of Celestino and Luisa Alvarez Perez, recent emigrants from Asturias, Spain.
He grew up in New York City, graduating from Brooklyn College, cum laude, with honors in Romance Languages. He served in the Naval Reserve and the U.S. Merchant Marine, 1942 – 1946, and was released with the rank of Ensign. He began his teaching career at the University of Michigan where he earned an M.A. Degree and a Ph.D. in Spanish Language and Literature. In 1955 he joined the faculty of Williams College, Williamstown, Mass.
In 1967 Dr. Perez became Professor of Spanish at The Pennsylvania State University. During his 21 year tenure at Penn State he served on numerous committees of the College of Liberal Arts, as Acting Head of the Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, and as a Professor of Spanish. His chief research and teaching interests were the theater and prose of the Spanish Golden Age (16th – 17th centuries).
He leaves his wife of 59 years, the former Grace E. Rogge, whom he married August 12, 1950, in Montclair, N.J., three children, Alison "Lisa" Luse and her husband, Shelby, of Centre Hall, David Perez and his wife, Rebecca Speckhard, of Glendale, Wis., and Roberta "Robin" Leyde, of State College. There are 12 grandchildren: Christina, Emily, Robin, and James Perez, Jessica Blasko, Brian, Karen and Laura Leyde, and Daniela Moravec and her husband Nathan, Marine Cpl. Justin Umbower and his wife Madeline Giscombe, Josiah and Jeffrey Luse, and three great- grandchildren: Kristian, Nathan, and Anna Grace Moravec. He also leaves three nephews: James, Donald and Stephen Suarez, and numerous cousins in Spain with whom he kept in contact. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother William and his sister Louisa Suarez-Dlabola.
Louis enjoyed spending time with his family, and he always had a pet cat. Friends will be received from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College.
A private farewell service will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Spring Creek Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Ave, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017, or to a charity of the donor's choice.