Ray Stephen Perez

On September 13, 2022, family, friends, and colleagues lost the special gift that was Ray S. Perez. Ray was born in Los Angeles, California on January 17, 1945. He was the son of Raymond Perez and Adrianna Escobedo. From humble beginnings in East Los Angeles, Ray excelled in school and went on to earn a Doctorate in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. He married Dorothy A. Lange on July 28, 1978, and they moved to Falls Church, Virginia in 1980.

Dr. Perez worked for the federal government, beginning in 1983 until his passing. Ray most recently worked as a Program Officer at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Cognitive and Neural Science and Technology Division, where he managed research programs on technology-based education and training. Ray used his extensive knowledge of human learning theory to develop individualized tutoring systems, virtual training programs, game-based training platforms, and augmented reality job aids to train both sailors and officers. His research efforts over more than twenty years have provided innovative training solutions for our naval personnel that have helped prepare them to defend our country. These skills became invaluable to these servicemembers in their civilian lives as well. Nationally recognized as an expert in the processes involved in human learning, Ray has received numerous awards, co-edited several books in his field, and authored multiple book chapters and scientific journal articles. He also served as an expert on various review panels for agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Defense Advanced Research Agency (DARPA).

When Ray was not engrossed in his research, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a devoted husband and father. Watching football with his son on Sunday afternoons, it was difficult to tell who was yelling louder at the TV. Ray enjoyed all genres of music, often enthusiastically announcing to his family that it was a “Steely Dan day.” He was a creative chef who, along with his daughter, began the tradition of the “Christmas Eve Enchilada Extravaganza.” He and Dorothy enjoyed cross-country skiing, with this Southern California boy coping with icy East Coast conditions. Dorothy and Ray also greatly appreciated the many international adventures they shared together.

Ray was deeply loved by his two children: Adan Perez and Simone Perez Belmonte, as well as their spouses, Lily Rubin Perez and Chris Belmonte. He was thrilled to welcome three young grandchildren into his world. Ray was affectionately known to them as Spike, regarding Grandpa as a title for “old guys.” He is survived by his sisters, Linda Padilla and Joanne Dye and his brother, Lawrence Dye.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember Ray with a gift to the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation or the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV).