Perez, Restorer, Developer, Dies

Rodolfo E. Perez, general partner of the Los Angeles-based development firm of Bowers Perez Associates and a veteran of more than 25 years in the industry, died June 8 after an extended illness. He was 56.

With partner Don E. Bowers, Perez played a key role in the development and restoration of more than 6 million square feet of office, retail and research-and-development space in Southern California.

Perez was a central figure in development of the 46-acre Von Karman Corporate Center in Irvine and the 300,000-square-foot facility for Hughes Aircraft in Rancho Santa Margarita, as well as restoration of the Oviatt and Fine Arts buildings in downtown Los Angeles.

Born in Cuba, Perez earned a bachelor’s degree at Villanova University in Philadelphia and a master’s degree at the University of Havana before coming to the United States to stay in 1960. He became a principal in the Los Angeles development firm of Ratkovich, Bowers & Perez before he and Bowers formed their own firm in 1986.

He is survived by his wife and their three children.