Theodore Peter Perros

Dr. Theodore Perros of Washington, DC, passed away on November 12, 2014. He was born in Cumberland, MD on August 16, 1921, but raised in Washington and graduated from Central High School. Professor Perros had a great zest for life, and among his many and varied interests was devotion to family, the George Washington University, and his students. He received his Ph.D in Chemistry from GWU in 1952 and joined the GWU faculty that year as an assistant professor of Chemistry, beginning a career at the school that spanned 40 years, and where his contributions were significant. In addition to his chemistry professorship, Ted was instrumental in forming the Graduate Department of Forensic Science and served as its first chairman from 1970 - 1973. He chaired the Department of Chemistry from 1980 - 1988, and later received the distinction of Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. Early in his career Ted received a National Science Foundation Fellowship to study at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry in Munich, Germany. From 1952 to 1963, he was a consultant to the Naval Ordinance Lab. In the 1960's, Ted represented the GWU at the NCAA, and served as Vice President and President of the Southern Conference. In 1983, he was appointed by President Reagan as a Federal Commissioner to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, where he was a member and Chair of the Executive Committee. Politically interested and active, he served as a D.C. delegate to the Republican National Convention several times in the 1980's and 1990's. Ted was a fellow, member or officer of numerous honorary and professional organizations, both domestic and foreign. These include the American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemists, American Academy of Forensic Science, Washington Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Chemical Society. He published prolifically, and received numerous honors and awards including the Hillebrand Award from the Chemical Society of Washington; Professional Merit Award from the professional chemistry fraternity Alpha Chi Sigma; and the AHEPA Academy Achievement Award from the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. To generations of GWU students, he was an enthusiastic, committed and demanding teacher and mentor. He held himself to the highest of standards, and expected no less from his students. Ted had no greater pride than their accomplishments and success, and would do anything to help them in matters both academic and personal. For his family, close and distant, he did no less.

He was a generous benefactor to the village of Isari, the Greek birthplace of his parents, Christina and Peter. Ted is survived by his sister-in-law Katherine Perros; nephew Peter (Fran) Perros; nieces Victoria (Victor) Levi and Eugenia Perros; great niece Katie Perros; cousin John (Maureen) Sioris; in Athens his cousins Dimitri (Kate) Sioris and Terpsia Lampros; and others. He was predeceased by his brothers George and Agamemnon. Theodore Perros lived a full and consequential life for 93 years. He will be remembered for his wisdom, generosity, and uniqueness of character. Friends and relatives are invited to call at Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC on Wednesday, November 19 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Prayers will be said at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on Thursday, November 20th at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 36th Street & Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20007-1424. Interment will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Aspen Hill, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.