Richard “Dick” Lee Piper was born on December 14, 1932, in Shelbina, Missouri, to John Delmar Piper Sr. and Ruby Ann (Keister) Piper. He departed this life on June 9, 2025, at the age of 92.
He was united in marriage to his wife, Alice Anne (Flood) Piper, on October 16, 1959, and to this union, their son, Knial, was born.
Dick served in the United States Air Force for 4 years. After his military service, he served as a police officer in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his Bachelor of Education and became a Teacher/Coach and Administrator. His teaching/coaching brought him much joy as he had the opportunity to teach and coach in Iowa and Missouri. His teaching career further enabled him to teach courses at Southern Baptist University in Mountain View as well as MSU West Plains and finally retiring as an administrator for MSU in Mountain Grove. While teaching, he also operated a successful business-Mountain View Furniture and Tire Shop with his wife, Alice.
Dick was a wonderful, caring husband, father, brother, and grandfather. In his retirement, he was a hobby farmer that loved to play golf, go fishing at his farm, garden, watch nature, and feed and learn about all of the Missouri birds that visited his farm.
He is survived by his wife, Alice; son, Knial Piper and wife, Elena (Scharff); 3 grandchildren, Knial Piper II and wife, Alex; Keaton Piper and wife, Kourtney, and Josephine (baby Josie); and Kameron Piper; and beloved neices, Martha Marshall and husband, Tim, Cindy Woolridge and husband, Roger, and Janet Canote and husband, Ron.
Dick is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruby Piper; brother, Jay D. Piper; and sister-in-law, Delores Piper.
Memorial visitation with Military Honors will be held from 6-7:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2025, at Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
