Luis Felipe Diaz-Perdomo, formerly of Lincoln, died on April 28, 2019 at his home in El Cerrito, California. He was born July 23, 1939 in Havana, Cuba, to Angel Diaz y Camacho and Lorenza Perdomo y Azcuy.
Luis studied in Cuba, Canada, France and the U.S., earning a doctorate in Psychology from the Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Scientificas of the University of Havana and almost earning a medical degree as well.
He left Cuba in the mid-1960s, traveling to Spain. He was able to immigrate to the U.S. a short time later, living in Norfolk with the family that sponsored him. Luis resumed his studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where, as a student he was a resident assistant in the dormitories on campus. He then was hired as the Residence Director for Men at Selleck Hall from 1969-71. He left Nebraska for a short time to work as a Psychological Counselor at Adelphi University in Garden City, Long Island, New York, returning to Lincoln and UNL to work as a Financial Aid Counselor. He served as the Interim Director of the Lincoln Indian Center in the early 1970s. Soon afterward he began a 30-year career as a Psychologist with the UNL Counseling Center and later with Counseling and Psychological Services. At times during this stint he also taught Spanish and worked in International Educational Services, led workshops on culture shock and diversity awareness, facilitated the Gay Men’s Discussion Group and served as adviser to several student organizations.
Luis became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1981. His work was recognized by several honors, including the Sue Tidball Award for Creative Humanity and the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the GLBT Community.
Luis and his long-time partner, Louis Crompton, a distinguished Professor of English, enjoyed attending ballet and opera performances and traveled extensively around the world. They were proud to have established the Drs. Louis Crompton and Luis Diaz-Perdomo Scholarship Fund. Luis and Lou spent summers in the Bay Area in California. After both retired from UNL they moved to California in the early 2000s and married in 2008. Lou died in 2009.
Luis was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Roman. He is survived by his niece, Lizette Cardin Dominguez, of Turkey and many loving friends and colleagues worldwide.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, at Roper and Sons, 4300 O Street, Lincoln.
Memorials may be designated to the Drs. Louis Crompton and Luis Diaz-Perdomo Scholarship Fund in care of the University of Nebraska Foundation.