Ron Perez talks with guests at the celebration of the national accreditation of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health in 2017. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Ron Perez addresses the crowd at the celebration of the national accreditation of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health in 2017. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Ron Perez addresses the crowd at the celebration of the national accreditation of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health in 2017. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Ron Perez talks with guests at the celebration of the national accreditation of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health in 2017. (UWM Photo/Pete Amland)
Ron Perez shares a light moment during a celebration in 2019 of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Ron Perez gives a speech during a celebration in 2019 of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and UWM Provost Johannes Britz sit on stage with Ron Perez during a celebration in 2019 of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Ron Perez
Full of good humor, Ron Perez was unafraid to have a little fun. Here he is in full punk rocker costume at an ‘80s themed party for Zilber faculty in 2018.
Ron Perez with Ethan Munson, associate dean for academic affairs, in 2019 at the celebration of UWM’s $251 million fundraising campaign, Made in Milwaukee, Shaping the World: The Campaign for UWM. (UWM Photo/Elora Hennessey)
Ron Perez was dean of the Joseph J. Zilber School of Public Health, but he was more than that. He was a trusted confidant, go-to administrator and caring friend who exuded good humor and enthusiasm. He served numerous roles during his 30-year career at UWM, always willing to take on a new task.
Perez passed away Dec. 16 after several months of illness. He is survived by his wife, Christine, and daughter, Kennedy, a student at UW-Madison.