Henry George Piper Sr.

He was born August 26th 1922 in Englewood New Jersey to Henry George Piper (bus conductor) and Emma Louise Smith (school cafeteria cook). As a teenager he caddied. Never far from a county club, he went on to became a life long avid golfer. He raised orchids. In retirement he routinely worked out at the gym until he was physically unable.

In 1940 at age 18, searching for employment, he joined the Army Reserve prior to WWII. When his unit was nationalized, he served in the Aleutian Islands, then pilot training in Houghton Michigan. In Houghton 1942 he met Marie (Betty) Elizabeth Martin. Then paratroop training at Fort Benning, After his honorable discharge, he returned to Houghton and married Betty in 1944.

By his own admission he was not college material, but with the help of the G.I. Bill and Betty’s father Napoleon (Nap) Martin superintendent of Baraga schools, he was able to enroll in Michigan Technological University (Hancock) where he graduated with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.

His first job was for Olin Corp. in East Alton Il. He and Betty relocated to New York City, later Long Island, where he continued as an Olin salesmen. He went to night school at NYU and earned an MBA. Recruited for beryllium alloy sales by the Brush Beryllium Company of Cleveland, the family relocated to Russell Township Ohio in 1959. He retired from Brush (now Materion) as chairman of the board and president in 1990.

He married Elke Bongardt after his divorce in 1972 . They resided in Shaker Hts., retiring to Naples Florida. Henry lost his beloved Elke in 2009 after her long illness. Henry was preceded in death by his brother William (Bill) John Piper and his sister Florence Ruth Piper both of Destin Florida.

Henry is survived by his three sons, Henry George Piper Jr, (Jody Haas) (Chagrin Falls), son Henry Nicolas, his fiancé Nicole Prado, Thomas Martin Piper, (Anne Huber), (Disputanta Va.) their children Philip Martin, Grace Elizabeth, and Sarah Nicole, and Geoffrey Ian Piper, (Stephanie Ingram) their son Milo Alexander (Seattle). He has one niece and nephew.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to Maria Cardoso for her many years devoted to

his loving care.

Henry’s positive attitude, sense of humor and determination will be remembered and

cherished. His ashes will be committed during a private ceremony in Naples.