Don Perretz

Perretz, Don A. COTTAGE GROVE/MADISON Don A. Perretz, age 62, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on Jan. 27, 1946, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Alexander and Marian (Blandford) Perretz. Don was a graduate of Riverside High School in Milwaukee and served with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. He married Susan Skaar in January 1997 in Madison. Don was a Grafton Police Officer who worked patrol and motorcycle duty before embarking on a career in crime prevention. He worked for the Wisconsin Department of Justice as a Crime Prevention Specialist where he completed a long and storied career as a public servant in law enforcement. Don served as the Attorney Generals representative for the McGruff Campaign, the National Crime Prevention Council, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the National D.A.R.E. Program. He belonged to several professional organizations and served several terms as president of the Wisconsin Crime Prevention Officers Association. He was a past Wisconsin Crime Prevention Officer of the Year and a former president of the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners. Don served on a variety of boards and commissions and was instrumental in assisting departments, small and large, in the design and delivery of crime prevention programming, training and public education. His many friends in law enforcement will remember his booming voice, firm handshake and his readiness to help anyone he could. Don retired from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance as the director of Gang Prevention and Intervention programs. Don was a credit to his family, his community and his profession. He is survived by his wife, Susan; two children, Elizabeth (Brian) Sterling of Charlotte, N.C., and David of Madison; stepchildren, Michelle Skaar of Madison, Kim (Tim) Knoeck of Madison, and Bryan Skaar of Brookfield; twin granddaughters, Blake and Logan Sterling; and four step grandchildren, Josie, Benjamin and William Knoeck and Alyssa Skaar. He was preceded in death by his parents and a half brother, Clarence Howard Perretz. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison.