Owners:
John Perhay
 
John has been associated with IID since he learned to dive in 1978. He became a NAUI instructor in 1980, and has since become a NAUI Instructor Trainer as well as PADI instructor. John is also certified as an ice diver and a cave/cavern diver, as well as holding certifications in advanced nitrox and tri-mix. With more than 4,000 dives throughout the Midwest, Florida, and the Caribbean making nearly 200 dives a year, John has added underwater photography and videography to his arsenal of interests and has taken thousands of underwater photos. In addition to his interests in instructing and recreational/technical diving, John also enjoys his newfound duties as owner of IID.

Ione Perhay

Ione, is the co-owner and John’s partner at IID.  She is not new to IID either.  Ione was certified in 1986 and began assisting with classes, OW training and several trips to the Caribbean.  She became a NAUI Assistant Instructor in 1988.
With close to 1,200 logged dives, Ione continues to dive throughout the Midwest, Florida and the Caribbean.  Recently she has taken up digital photography.  If you want to know the name of what you saw, Ione is the one to ask.  This biology teacher can identify creatures, coral and fish with the best.

Staff:

Le Roy R. Instructor

Le Roy began diving in the 60’s and in the 80’s/90’s owned a local dive shop (JAWS) for 14 years. He is currently a Technical instructor (I.A.N.T.D & TDI), NAUI instructor and Instructor Trainer. Le Roy has been an Instructor an our repair technician for IID since 2003.

William (Bill) H. Instructor

First certified by IID in late 1996, Bill continued scuba instruction to became an instructor in June of 1998.  Early dive trips included a Blackbeard’s live-a-board, Cozumel, and Narragansett Bay, RI.  Bill studied to become a cave diver with Bill Osterich in Crystal River and has done numerous trips to the Florida springs areas both with and without students.  “Rainbow River, in Dunnellon, is still one of my favorite dives”, he beams.  Numerous dives to the Florida Keys include the USCG Duane and Spiegel Grove, the City of Washington, the Benwood, Joe’s Tug, and the Cayman Salvager.  Most recently, he encountered a whaleshark while completing the wreck of the Captain Dan in Pompano Beach.  “Unfortunately, I left my camera on the boat because the surface current was so strong”, he reports with a frown.  Other exotic dive trips include Bonaire, Roatan, Curacao, and Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, and Bonne Terre, MO. 

On Wednesday mornings, Bill joins a small group of volunteer divers at the Shedd Aquarium where he works with the Marine Mammal Department to maintain habitats for the beluga whales, Pacific dolphins, sea otters, and other critters in the Shedd’s exhibitions.  Bill has worked at Shedd five years and has 150 of his 600 dives there.

An avid videographer, Bill has recorded many of his adventures to digital video.

“Stop into the shop and I’m happy to show them anytime.”

Diane H. Assistant Instructor

Diane started scuba diving in 2000.  She received her open water certification through The Illinois Institute of Diving under the instruction of Pete Tomasino.  His enthusiasm for the sport along with the other instructors encouraged her to continue her diving education up through the Assistant Instructor level.  Diane has used her training to assist with many Open Water classes.  She also volunteers her time at The One Step at a Time Summer Camp working with 13 to 17 year old kids in the camp’s scuba program.  Diane’s favorite place to dive has yet to be determined.  “As long as it is underwater, it’s all good!”

Karl K. Dive Master

Bio coming

Forrest L.  Instructor

Many of you know him already from either the fun dives,
or being the assistant instructor from one of your classes.

Forrest has worked long and hard to achieve this goal and everyone at
The Illinois Institute of Diving wants to congratulate Forrest on his hard work and time.

Forrest has many dives in his log book, everywhere from Truk, Australia, Great Lakes to Bonne Terr Mine, to name a few.  With all this dive experience, this make Forrest a great resource for divers to learn from and we are very lucky to have him be an instructor here at IID.

Yvonne L. Instructor

Bio coming

Charles M. Assist Instructor

Chuck has been a certified diver since 1992.  He has been a certified Divemaster and Assistant Instructor since 2002. Chuck’s diving experience includes the Great Lakes, the Florida Keys and Maui. Chuck also assists with many of the Illinois Institute of Diving pool and open water classes. When not diving, Chuck can be found on the golf course, working on his garden railroad, or the ski slopes, depending on the time of year.

Kelly M. Assistant Instructor
Picture and Bio coming

Richard O. Instructor

Bio coming

Elmer R. Instructor

Bio coming

Pete T. Instructor

Bio coming