IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Didier
Perez
September 1, 1934 – June 18, 2025
Obituary
Didier Herbert Pérez
, of West Bend, WI passed away at The Kathy Hospice, age 90, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Didier was born on September 1, 1934, in San José, Costa Rica to Alberto Pérez-Pantoja and Odalia Vargas de Pérez. Didier met his future wife, Alice Nancy (nee Daffinee) Pérez, when she came to Green Lake WI to work as a student staffer at the American Baptist Assembly (ABA) in the summer of 1968. Didier always said he knew he would marry Alice the first time he saw her. Didier and Alice enjoyed 55 adventurous and fun-filled years of marriage.
Didier is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter, Karla (Ryan) Benz, grandson, Karsten Benz, and granddaughter, Malena Benz of WI; adopted son, Anthony Perez; brothers-in-law: Bill (Mina) Daffinee of TX and Paul (Veronica McQuillan) Daffinee of CA; nephews and nieces: Richard (Becky) Perez of PA, Diana (Robert) Currence of MT, Rodrigo (Paula) Perez of MD, Joanna (Rick) Schaffer of MA, Ana Patricia (Luis Sanchez Artavia) Sandoval-Pérez of Desamparados, Costa Rica, Robin (Alex) Coulonge of TX, Kimberly (Michael) Waidande of TX, Mason (Jennifer Mendez) Daffinee of Germany and Tyler (Natalie) Daffinee of PA. Didier is further survived by great-nieces and great-nephews: Tyler (McKenna) Currence and their sons, Luke and Logan, of MT, Ricky (Danielle Los) Schaffer of PA, Natalie (Benjamin) VanderHoek and their children, Arie, Rawley and Parker of MT, Patricia Perez of MA, Peter Schaffer of MA, Carolyn Perez of RI, Wesley Currence of MT, Lex Coulonge of OR, Quinton Coulonge of TX, Joey Waidande of TX, Joshua Waidande of TX and Ryder Daffinee of PA.
Didier was pre-deceased by his parents; brother, Walter Pérez-Vargas; sister, Vilma Pérez-Sandoval; sister-in-law, Juanita Lyon; and niece, Ruth Sandoval-Pérez.
Throughout his life Didier enjoyed time with family, opportunities to travel, photography, creating paintings in his art studio, staying fit and healthy year round as well as improving his golf skills and passing along his love of the sport. From an early age he loved soccer (f ú tbol) and many outdoor activities in Costa Rica. Whenever he visited his home country, he also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, including many members of the Barquero and Laverde families.
Didier first came to the United States as a student in 1960. While studying at the Spanish American Baptist Seminary in Los Angeles, CA, he was encouraged to come to Wisconsin as a young adult summer employee for the ABA, which allowed him to learn and improve his English plus introduced him to golf on The Links Course at Lawsonia. During his final year at seminary Didier obtained his green card and then found it necessary to support his parents in Costa Rica. Luckily he was welcomed back to the ABA's Conference Services staff as a year round employee. When his supervisor left for another employment opportunity, he accepted the Conference Services Director position.
Didier married Alice, the love of his life, in July of 1969. In August of 1970, Didier and Alice moved from Wisconsin to Los Angeles CA to be closer to his brother and family. When traveling to visit family living on the East Coast (first time in 1972 with their new baby daughter, again in 1974), they stopped for a short stay in Green Lake to visit ABA (nka Green Lake Conference Center). Each time his prior position was offered to him if he was willing to relocate. In November of 1974 the family moved back to Wisconsin and Didier added the Cross Country Ski Shop to his Conference Services Director responsibilities for several winter seasons. "Herb" really enjoyed the weekly challenges of the busy summer conference season and the young staff members that he mentored, many of whom became lifelong friends. Didier retired from the GLCC at age 62. The following year he became a U.S. citizen.
Throughout his life whenever free time allowed, Didier enjoyed fishing as well as participating in a wide variety of sports, including volleyball, softball, tennis, basketball, racquetball, ping pong, darts, croquet, bocce plus golf, challenging his younger staff members, peers, family or friends. International travel to Europe and Latin America was a cherished activity post-retirement and always a highlight of their Perez family Christmas newsletters.
In the summer of 1996 Didier started working as a full time seasonal ranger/starter at Lawsonia. For ten years he helped train student workers with behind-the-scenes responsibilities plus had numerous opportunities to play more golf and extend his circle of lifetime friends. He continued to offer his assistance as an on-call employee for special events, enjoyed organizing Lost & Found, and any other needs for several additional seasons. Didier, often accompanied by Alice, continued to play golf as often as possible at their favorite course until they left Green Lake in November 2020 to live in Jackson WI to be closer to their daughter, Karla, and her family. The opportunity to spend more time with family, especially both of their only grandchildren, was one of their wisest decisions.
Didier will be remembered as a loving husband, father, Abuelito (grandfather), Tio/uncle, and friend. He was fun and often mischievous, always with a twinkle in his eye, teasing and trying to pull one over on you. He was abundantly generous and giving: often slipping money to the grandkids on the sly, sharing his food with the dogs (even though he wasn't supposed to) and helping others even if they didn't know they were being helped. He was curious, wanting to gain more knowledge as he was interested in a variety of topics. His family remembers him studying, reading, and wanting to learn more about life, the universe, and faith. Didier will be remembered fondly by his family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. This past Easter weekend, 2025, Didier enjoyed a mini-reunion with his brother Walter's children and grandchildren, with whom he shared an extra special bond.
Special thanks from Didier's family to the staff, caregivers and med passers at New Perspective Senior Living Community of West Bend WI (where Didier and Alice moved in September 2023). The services of both Horizon Hospice and The Kathy Hospice were greatly appreciated for their assistance and kindness. Further thanks to the staff, doctors and nurses at Jackson Clinic, his many Froedtert physical therapists, the Pacemaker Clinic at Fond du Lac and at West Bend, and the Central WI Cancer Center's oncologists, nurses and staff, whose expertise aided Didier in surviving Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia in 2004 and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2007.
The family would like anyone considering a donation to feel free to select their favorite charity. In addition, they hope you have an opportunity to play a round of golf in Didier's memory at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia if you live near Green Lake, WI or have a chance to travel to Wisconsin. Playing a round at your favorite golf course would be a great substitute.
Didier is survived by his wife, Alice; daughter, Karla (Ryan) Benz, grandson, Karsten Benz, and granddaughter, Malena Benz of WI; adopted son, Anthony Perez; brothers-in-law: Bill (Mina) Daffinee of TX and Paul (Veronica McQuillan) Daffinee of CA; nephews and nieces: Richard (Becky) Perez of PA, Diana (Robert) Currence of MT, Rodrigo (Paula) Perez of MD, Joanna (Rick) Schaffer of MA, Ana Patricia (Luis Sanchez Artavia) Sandoval-Pérez of Desamparados, Costa Rica, Robin (Alex) Coulonge of TX, Kimberly (Michael) Waidande of TX, Mason (Jennifer Mendez) Daffinee of Germany and Tyler (Natalie) Daffinee of PA. Didier is further survived by great-nieces and great-nephews: Tyler (McKenna) Currence and their sons, Luke and Logan, of MT, Ricky (Danielle Los) Schaffer of PA, Natalie (Benjamin) VanderHoek and their children, Arie, Rawley and Parker of MT, Patricia Perez of MA, Peter Schaffer of MA, Carolyn Perez of RI, Wesley Currence of MT, Lex Coulonge of OR, Quinton Coulonge of TX, Joey Waidande of TX, Joshua Waidande of TX and Ryder Daffinee of PA.
Didier was pre-deceased by his parents; brother, Walter Pérez-Vargas; sister, Vilma Pérez-Sandoval; sister-in-law, Juanita Lyon; and niece, Ruth Sandoval-Pérez.
Throughout his life Didier enjoyed time with family, opportunities to travel, photography, creating paintings in his art studio, staying fit and healthy year round as well as improving his golf skills and passing along his love of the sport. From an early age he loved soccer (f ú tbol) and many outdoor activities in Costa Rica. Whenever he visited his home country, he also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, including many members of the Barquero and Laverde families.
Didier first came to the United States as a student in 1960. While studying at the Spanish American Baptist Seminary in Los Angeles, CA, he was encouraged to come to Wisconsin as a young adult summer employee for the ABA, which allowed him to learn and improve his English plus introduced him to golf on The Links Course at Lawsonia. During his final year at seminary Didier obtained his green card and then found it necessary to support his parents in Costa Rica. Luckily he was welcomed back to the ABA's Conference Services staff as a year round employee. When his supervisor left for another employment opportunity, he accepted the Conference Services Director position.
Didier married Alice, the love of his life, in July of 1969. In August of 1970, Didier and Alice moved from Wisconsin to Los Angeles CA to be closer to his brother and family. When traveling to visit family living on the East Coast (first time in 1972 with their new baby daughter, again in 1974), they stopped for a short stay in Green Lake to visit ABA (nka Green Lake Conference Center). Each time his prior position was offered to him if he was willing to relocate. In November of 1974 the family moved back to Wisconsin and Didier added the Cross Country Ski Shop to his Conference Services Director responsibilities for several winter seasons. "Herb" really enjoyed the weekly challenges of the busy summer conference season and the young staff members that he mentored, many of whom became lifelong friends. Didier retired from the GLCC at age 62. The following year he became a U.S. citizen.
Throughout his life whenever free time allowed, Didier enjoyed fishing as well as participating in a wide variety of sports, including volleyball, softball, tennis, basketball, racquetball, ping pong, darts, croquet, bocce plus golf, challenging his younger staff members, peers, family or friends. International travel to Europe and Latin America was a cherished activity post-retirement and always a highlight of their Perez family Christmas newsletters.
In the summer of 1996 Didier started working as a full time seasonal ranger/starter at Lawsonia. For ten years he helped train student workers with behind-the-scenes responsibilities plus had numerous opportunities to play more golf and extend his circle of lifetime friends. He continued to offer his assistance as an on-call employee for special events, enjoyed organizing Lost & Found, and any other needs for several additional seasons. Didier, often accompanied by Alice, continued to play golf as often as possible at their favorite course until they left Green Lake in November 2020 to live in Jackson WI to be closer to their daughter, Karla, and her family. The opportunity to spend more time with family, especially both of their only grandchildren, was one of their wisest decisions.
Didier will be remembered as a loving husband, father, Abuelito (grandfather), Tio/uncle, and friend. He was fun and often mischievous, always with a twinkle in his eye, teasing and trying to pull one over on you. He was abundantly generous and giving: often slipping money to the grandkids on the sly, sharing his food with the dogs (even though he wasn't supposed to) and helping others even if they didn't know they were being helped. He was curious, wanting to gain more knowledge as he was interested in a variety of topics. His family remembers him studying, reading, and wanting to learn more about life, the universe, and faith. Didier will be remembered fondly by his family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. This past Easter weekend, 2025, Didier enjoyed a mini-reunion with his brother Walter's children and grandchildren, with whom he shared an extra special bond.
Special thanks from Didier's family to the staff, caregivers and med passers at New Perspective Senior Living Community of West Bend WI (where Didier and Alice moved in September 2023). The services of both Horizon Hospice and The Kathy Hospice were greatly appreciated for their assistance and kindness. Further thanks to the staff, doctors and nurses at Jackson Clinic, his many Froedtert physical therapists, the Pacemaker Clinic at Fond du Lac and at West Bend, and the Central WI Cancer Center's oncologists, nurses and staff, whose expertise aided Didier in surviving Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia in 2004 and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2007.
The family would like anyone considering a donation to feel free to select their favorite charity. In addition, they hope you have an opportunity to play a round of golf in Didier's memory at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia if you live near Green Lake, WI or have a chance to travel to Wisconsin. Playing a round at your favorite golf course would be a great substitute.
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