Duilio Peruzzi

1926 - 2016

Duilio Peruzzi
May 2, 1926 - Sept. 1, 2016
San Jose/Santa Cruz
Duilio Peruzzi, 90, peacefully passed away at home on September 1, 2016 with loved ones by his side. He is preceded in death by beloved siblings Renato and Lena.
A celebration of his life will be held from 12-4pm on Oct. 22 in the Bonny Doon area of Santa Cruz. Please contact sonofcortona@gmail.com for more information.
Duilio was born of immigrant parents in Summerville, PA on May 2, 1926, but because the Depression was not kind to his father's business, his family moved back to Italy in 1931 when Duilio was 5 years old. They intended to remain only until the US economy got back on its feet, but were trapped by WWII, unable to return until late 1946.
In Italy, Duilio lived in the olive belt surrounding the Etruscan town of Cortona. He had many adventures hiding from German soldiers that seem straight out of the movies. When the Allies advanced, he recalled peering from his attic hiding place to see the departure of the last tiger tank and feeling fortunate to be alive. The only one who spoke English, Duilio was asked by an English captain to show them the best overlook to the railroad and highway for viewing the retreating Germans. He rode atop the first tank up to the hill town of Cortona. A born geographer, he asked the captain if he could have a topographic map, which he received and later donated to the town of Cortona.
In 1946, Duilio returned to the US and attended college in Michigan and Washington. In 1955 he traveled to Tuscany on a scholarship to do post graduate research. During this time, he took a series of photographs on farm and rural life surrounding Cortona that later became an exhibit displayed in both the US and Italy. He returned to the US and completed his thesis on the Tuscan agrarian land reform in 1958 at Wayne State University, and completed his PhD with a dissertation on regional Mediterranean study on the Cortona area at the Univ. of Michigan in 1963.
Dr. Peruzzi began teaching at UCLA, and then in 1965 he joined the geography faculty at San Jose State University where he remained until retirement in 1993, earning the title professor emeritus. A 1967 review of professors revealed him to be, "A charming Italian who uses personal anecdotes and excellent slides to good effect. An enthusiastic instructor, he is also quite willing to help the student outside of the classroom. His examinations are very difficult, and the student must work hard for a good grade in the course."
During his career, Dr. Peruzzi worked for the Dept of Defense, the Library of Congress, the Geological Survey and NASA AMES. He published several articles and some 100 (hand drawn) maps; participated in state, regional and national conferences; and represented the US as a delegate in international congresses and research in the UK, Canada, Spain, Finland, and Hungary. One of the highlights of his career was the three-time appointment in 1976, 1979 and 1986 as Resident Director for the California State University International Program in Florence, Italy. The 1976 class was a particularly special time for him and for the students. This group has remained in contact for 40 years and came together regularly with their beloved "Dottore" for reunions.
Duilio married Charlene in May 1967; married 9 years, they had two sons. Guido and Nico have many fond memories of camping trips with their dad's college students, ski trips to Reno and Tahoe, and, of course, trips to Italy (from the beach outside Rome, to skiing in the Alps, and Cortona in between).
In 1987 while in Florence, Dr. Peruzzi participated in the final editing of the Provincial Charter that began the association of the Province of Florence with the County of Santa Clara. Dr. Peruzzi became a full commission member in 1993.
An outstanding member of the County of Santa Clara/Province of Florence Sister County Commission, Dr. Peruzzi was an inspiration for his incomparable passion and energy to advance the Commission's goals. His contributions were exemplary, especially in projects and events such as the Medici Ball, the Commission's signature fundraiser, and delegations to and from the Province of Florence.
Drawing on his language skills, his love of all things Italian, and his penchant for good conversation, he stepped in and appointed himself official translator/ interpreter serving as liaison to the Province of Florence. Whenever he was planning a trip to his home in Cortona, he would also travel to Florence to meet with friends at the Province.
In recognition of his invaluable service to the Florence commission, the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors honored him in 2013. In 2014, Dr. Peruzzi received the Medici medallion, a prestigious mark of recognition awarded to recipients who demonstrate great generosity and community involvement, and is reserved for prominent citizens of the County who typify philanthropic, intellectual, and cultural awareness as exemplified in the spirit of the Renaissance.
For nearly 50 years he lived in the foothills of east San Jose, a place that reminded him of the climate and topography of Tuscany. Often he set a long table on the patio and made slow-cooked Italian meals for neighbors, friends and family, surrounded by grape vines from which he made his own wine. His pride and love for Italy was such that he became the ultimate tour guide, taking friends and family to his beloved Italy, wanting to share all he held dear about his culture, land and people.
He was a man who loved life – a true Renaissance man. He was an intellectual and a romantic; a chef, gardener, photographer, opera-lover, do-it-yourselfer, traveler, and an independent spirit. A man of many words and much knowledge, he held court at meals, receptions and parties. He was a deep thinker who often found himself caught between the worlds of the US and Italy.
Duilio is survived by sons Guido (wife Monica and grandson Carlo) and Nico (wife Ann, grandson Luca, and granddaughter Mara), niece Anna Wexler, nephew Angelo Mattei, and their families, beloved relatives in Italy, and hundreds of students whose lives he influenced. We are so grateful for his life and all he taught us, and will love him and cherish his memory always.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Duilio Peruzzi Scholarship Fund, which provides support toward study abroad for university students from Santa Clara County accepted to study in Florence, Italy. Contributions should be made out to "County of Santa Clara" and include in the memo section "Florence Sister County Commission (Peruzzi Scholarship Fund)". Mail to: County of Santa Clara, 70 W. Hedding St., 11th Floor, San Jose, CA 95110. Call 408-299-5115 for more information.
The family of Duilio Peruzzi wishes to thank the staff of Dominican Oaks for their help these recent years, the staff of Hospice of Santa Cruz County for their compassion in the last days, and his former students who showered love on him until the end.


View the online memorial for Duilio Peruzzi