David L. Perlman

David L. Perlman, 78, passed away on September 4, 2011 at his home in South Miami, Florida. Born on June 2, 1933 in Miami Beach, David grew up on the beach working at his father's restaurant, Broadway Joes and attended Miami Beach High. After graduating high school, David enlisted in the Air Force where he served his country from 1952-1956 and learned to program and operate computers. Upon receiving his honorable discharge, David continued his education at University of Miami, graduating in 1959 with a degree in business administration.

David started his own computer services company, Computer Services of Florida, in Miami, with his wife, Rita, by his side, and they worked tirelessly to make it a success. In 1965, David merged his company with Automatic Data Processing. David helped expand ADP throughout the U.S. and internationally to become the world's largest payroll service company.

Throughout his life, David made it a priority to give to the South Florida community. David served on the Board of Directors of Florida International University Foundation for over 30 years, including as President from 1980-1982, and most recently as Chairperson Emeritus. David actively supported numerous other educational and charitable organizations, including the University of Miami, the Miami City Ballet, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, and Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and he served on numerous boards and committees of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. When his wife Rita was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2000, David made it his mission to call attention to the disease and help develop programs to support early Alzheimer's patients in South Florida. David worked closely with FIU and its new medical school to achieve this goal. David loved the South Florida lifestyle, especially boating on the Sleepyhead, tailgating at Miami Dolphins games since Joe Auer returned the first kickoff in 1966, and dining at Joes Stone Crabs.

David was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rita, children Wendy Perlman (Peter Antoszyk), Jonathan Perlman (Lauren Sterling) and Andrew Perlman (Leslie), and seven grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew, Jill, Zachary, Lindsey, Justin, and Jordan, and sisters Sissi Feltman (Robert) and Rhoda Shouger, and also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and ldevoted caregivers.

A funeral service will be held at Beth Am, 5950 North Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, Florida on September 6, 2011 at 1 PM. The service will be followed by internment at Mt Nebo Miami, 5505 NW 3rd St. Shiva will be observed September 6th and 7th from 5-8 pm, with Minion Services at 6:30 PM each day, at the home of Sissi & Bob Feltman.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David L. Perlman may be made to the David & Rita Alzheimer's Fund c/o FIU Foundation, Inc., Florida International University, MARC 540, Miami, Florida 33199. Arrangements under the direction of Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo (Kendall), Miami, FL.