Dr. Peter Paul Perla III, who always insisted on the “doctor” part, passed away peacefully in his favorite chair at home in Annandale, VA, on January 21, 2024. Born on December 12, 1951, in Pittsburgh, Peter is survived by his wife of 48 years, JoAnn, and his children Steven and Sara.

Peter attended Duquesne University, where he met the love of his life, JoAnn, as they both received a Bachelors degree in math. Peter went on to receive his Doctorate in Statistics from Carnegie Mellon University. His education laid the foundation for a 47-year career as an analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses. Peter's contributions were profound; he authored The Art of Wargaming in 1990, which became a seminal work in the field.

But beyond his professional achievements, Peter's most important contribution to the world was his constant and unwavering love for his wife and children. He never missed an important moment in their lives, present on the sidelines for soccer games, basketball games, band and play performances. He took pride in their achievements and cherished time with them.

Peter was also a bossy older brother to Dennis (deceased), MaryAnn, Debbie, and David, and uncle to many nieces and nephews who will miss their chocolate oranges at Christmas.

A true foodie at heart, as the grandson of a baker, Peter was always on a quest for the new best recipe, especially for bread—or at least for attempting to get his rolls to rise as high as his grandfather’s.

His love for games was all-encompassing, from wargames (obviously) to board games and card games, and he always, always insisted on a full read-through of the rules before the game began.

A more recent passion was watching premiere league soccer on the weekends; He was uncommitted to a particular team at the time of his passing, despite his daughter’s urging to commit to Tottenham.

Faith played a significant role in Peter's life, especially in more recent years. Always a weekly Mass-goer, Peter had a profound experience when visiting Italy in 2013, and he took seriously a seemingly personal challenge from (the spirit of) Padre Pio to conform his life more to Christ. He asked questions sincerely, read books, and began saying the rosary and the Litany of St. Joseph regularly. He sang loudly in church (a lovely tenor), and when asked about this, replied that he thought that if he sang loudly, other people might sing too. He also served as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, a role he undertook with great reverence.

Peter's legacy is one of wisdom, thoughtfulness, and generosity. He touched the lives of so many people as a mentor and a friend. For someone who was such an introvert that he joked constantly about not wanting to be around people (“Ew, people! Ew!”), he sure made a lot of friends. His presence was a source of stability and inspiration, and he will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, Peter’s family suggests memorials be made to Duquesne University, as a scholarship fund is being established in his name. Donations may be sent to Duquesne University, Advancement Services, 305C Administration Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, ATTN: Peter Perla Scholarship Fund. Donations may also be made online at www.duq.edu/giving, in memory of Peter Perla.