In memory of Jerry Persha
It is with sadness that we must inform our many friends and customers of the death of Jerry Persha, the original founder of Optec. Jerry was a key part of Optec through 2010 when he left the company. He passed away at his home in La Luz, New Mexico September 4, 2025 at the age of 76.
Gerald Christopher Persha was born September 23, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Nickolas and Rheta Persha. Jerry had an inquisitive mind and a love for science and astronomy in particular. As a teenager Jerry was often found designing power supplies, electro-mechanical instruments and a unique Tri-Schiefspiegler telescope. He started DOAA Enterprises (Detroit Observation and Astronomical Association) in his parent’s basement while in college. After earning a degree in Physics at Oakland University, Jerry relocated his company to Lowell, Michigan to be near the James C. Veen Observatory and the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA). In April 1979 Jerry incorporated the company as Optec, Incorporated.
Always the inventor and entrepreneur Jerry realized starlight could be measured very precisely using solid-state electronics. The single channel SSP (Solid-State Photometer) was one of his greatest contributions to astronomy. “Photometry for the Masses” was his motto. Along with student Bill Sanders, Jerry re-designed the original SSP into the SSP-3 which was a complete self-contained, battery-operated high precision instrument that could be used on any telescope. This was a major improvement over the photo-multiplier tube (PMT) photometers that were available at the time and the SSP-3 was being used by professional and amateur astronomers throughout the world. During the 90’s and early 2000’s Jerry developed the SSP-4 infrared photometer and a more sensitive PMT photometer, the SSP-5. An extremely high precision SSP-7 instrument was designed and sold through AutoScope Corporation, an early pioneer in robotic telescopes.
Jerry Persha receiving his IAPPP Award
Between his many photometer designs, Jerry found time to invent and patent the first Temperature Compensating Focuser, the TCF, and his Intelligent Filter Wheel- the IFW. TCF-S focusers and IFW filter wheels continue to be used in observatories on all seven continents even today.
Jerry’s SSP photometer also led to the development of an entirely new line of instruments to measure atmospheric visibility. The tele-radiometer, long-path visibility transmissometer, and integrating nephelometer were all inventions imagined by Jerry Persha. Partnering with Dr. Bill Malm of the U.S. National Park Service, Jerry’s instruments helped measure and quantify some of the first visibility and air quality measurements at the Grand Canyon.
Working with partner corporation Diagnostic Instruments of Sterling Heights, Michigan, and former lab partner Pat Merlo, Jerry and Optec supplied thousands of optical relay lens systems to couple early CCD cameras and microscopes used in labs throughout the world.
Throughout his life, Jerry was active in local astronomy clubs including Warren Astronomical Society (WAS), Detroit Observation and Astronomical Association (DOAA), Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA) and his most recent association with amateur astronomers in Mayhill, New Mexico. Always willing to help his fellow astronomers with a custom adapter or telescope repair, Jerry was always happy to share his vast knowledge with anyone.
He moved to southern New Mexico in 2017 for better skies, building two observatories. The first was dedicated to photometry; the second was dedicated to spectroscopy, instruments of his design and fashioning. His final project involved Wolf-Rayet stars for the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). In 2023-2024, he submitted over 29,000 variable star observations to AAVSO, far more than any other observer.
Gerald Persha was preceded in death by his father, Nickolas Persha, his mother, Rheta Persha, and his brother, Thomas Persha. He is survived by his son, Ryan Persha of Michigan; his sister, Shirley Coker of Macomb, Michigan, and her husband, John; his daughters, Diana Yarusinsky and her husband Mike, Dawn Dunigan and her husband Mike, and Dana Guthrie and her husband Michael, who became part of the family in their own right. Jerry will be missed and remembered as a mentor and friend to many.