Pillsbury Doughboy Creator Dies

The following obituary is courtesy of Donnellan Family Funeral Services.

The creator of one of the most recognizable figures in the world has died.
Rudolph R. Perz, 89 of Glenview formerly Wilmette, created the Pillsbury Doughboy, affectionately known as Poppin’ Fresh. The iconic character of General Mills was Perz’s brain child during his tenure as creative director at ad agency Leo Burnett. According to ADWEEK, the figure was one of the most beloved in the world. When asked how the idea came to him, Perz said he was under pressure to come up with a campaign for Pillsbury refrigerated dough products. While sitting at his kitchen table, he imagined the character jumping from the roll of dough. To distinguish him from the dough itself, Perz gave him a kerchief, a chef’s toque and big, blue eyes. His chuckle of “Hee hee” when poked in the stomach became his signature. Perz was to have been honored later this year at A Salute To Advertising’s Greatest Icons at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. He created Poppin’ Fresh 50 years ago.

“He was from the glory days of ‘critter’ advertising,” said Perz’s daughter Martha Nora referring to the 1960s era of advertising when whimsical animals and characters were used to sell products. “I thought everyone’s family had reels of commercials with Tony the Tiger and Snap Crackle and Pop,” she added.

“The one image I have of my Dad, was of him tapping the can of refrigerated dough against the kitchen table,” said his daughter Martha Nora. “That’s how his mind worked for everything. The wheels were always turning and your never were sure what idea he would come up with. There was always a twinkle in his eye and he loved the element of surprise.”

Perz was married to the late Lois Wagberg Perz. He leaves behind daughters Laura (Steve) Matlin, Martha (PJ) Nora and the late Dr. Robert Perz (the late Karen Perz-Pettit). His six grandchildren include Tyson Perz-Pettit, Katherine and Isabelle Matlin and Connor, Peyton and Erin Valerie Nora. “With his grandkids, he always their biggest fan. He was the ideal grandfather that way. He was always very encouraging and clever in his assessment of their abilities. He always spun the positive out of their characteristics,” said Nora.

Visitation is being held Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Robert R. Perz Memorial Scholarship Fund, Development and Alumni Affairs Office, Wake Forest University Health Sciences,
PO Box 571021, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157 -1021.

Info: www.donnellanfuneral.com or (847)675-1990

VISITATION

Saturday April 4, 2015, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Donnellan Family Funeral Services, 10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, Illinois 60077
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