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Raymond Edward Perrault (14 April 1949 – 05 March 2012) was the President and C.E.O. of Research Tool & Die Works, Inc. Married to Karen Denise Gerke, and father to Tami Marie Perrault (F) and Kevin Michael Perrault (M).

Early Years
Raymond Edward Perrault - known to most Ray - was born in Los Angeles to Edna Rose and Frederick Perrault on April 14th, 1949. He was the only child for Edna and Fred. He grew up on 97th and Figueroa in what is now called Watts, directly across the street from his elementary school. At an early age Ray learned the ropes working beside his Dad at the family business, Research Tool andDie Works, Inc.

Some of Ray’s adventures as a young man included skydiving, skiing, fishing, scuba diving as a rescue and master diver, and earning his license to be an airplane pilot.

Personal Life
Ray graduated from San Diego State in 1970 with a B.A. in Business Administration. While there he served as the president of S.A.M., the Society for the Advancement of Management.

After college graduation and on Karen’s 21st birthday, Ray made good on his promise. He gave Karen a plastic replica of an engagement ring to hold a place on her finger until they could make it to the jewelry store for her to pick the one she wanted.

Three years after the marriage Tami Marie was born (24 January 1975). Then 3-1/2 years later Kevin Michael (05 May 1978) was born. One of the things that Ray used to say about Parenthood was that he traded an XKE and two airplanes for a wife and two kids.

Ray was very involved is his children’s various sports teams. He firmly believed that if his child had a practice or game, then at least one of their parents should be on the sidelines cheering them on. So began his many years of team involvement. Ray’s first field experience was as an assistant coach to a K-League AYSO team known as the Peanut’s Gang when Kevin was only five. Many of his dearest friends are the parents from that very first soccer team.

The support of his children’s sports teams continued through T-Ball, little league, shot put and discus, and even coaching an indoor soccer team. Then came the high school years when both kids played varsity soccer, with Ray cheering on the sidelines. It continued further to their college soccer careers where he became the booster President of the UCLA soccer program, and remained president as long as Kevin was on the team.

Professional Life
In 1970 after graduation from college, Ray came back around to his father’s business, Research Tool & Die Works, Inc. He started as a production manager and ended up president of the corporation. At the same time he grew the firm from 25 employees and under 1 million in sales, to 55 employees and 8 million in current sales per year. He realized the company needed to expand and in 1979 he moved the firm from Gardena to Carson, from a Quonset hut to a new concrete tilt up building. He further developed the company from 25,000 square feet to the current building size of over 55,000 square feet.

At RT&D he made it his business to know how to run every piece of equipment. He knew every employee by name, and most of their family’s members. It was under his management that they now have an average employment history of over 15 years with some employees that have worked for more than 35 years at the shop. Many of his employees started their careers under his watchful eye and over the years hundreds of employees or their family members have been affected by his generosity and entrepreneurship. He was always spearheading plans to add benefits for his employees, and truly thought of them all as family.

Ray has always had a creative mind (remember the frogs) and has been able to take a simple idea and develop it into a great product that helps the customer while at the same time saving them time and money. Over the years he has been granted with over a dozen patents worldwide.

Hobbies
Ray became a boater in the late 80’s with the purchase of his first powerboat, and joined the Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club. He remained a member ever since. Although he may not have been as active in the middle years after selling his boat, he renewed his involvement in the last year with the purchase of his third powerboat. He always enjoyed coming to the club and being part of the festivities.

In 2002 Ray rediscovered his enthusiasm for old cars with his purchase on E-Bay of his first Rolls- Royce followed by a second in only a few weeks. He then joined the Southern California Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club on the account of his true love for the cars, as well as the people who drove them. His collection expanded and he owned several collector cars including the full size Hummer H-1 that came to be his signature.

Legacy
With the wide scope of Ray’s life experiences, and having touched so many lives, there are still a few things that stand as consistent and recognizable in him for all of us. Ray’s bark was much worse than his bite. He was big and loud, but generous and kind with a stubborn streak. He was always there for you when you needed him, with an open heart and open arms.