Roy Kingsbury Piper

Roy Kingsbury Piper, 93 of Keene and the last surviving grandchild of Harry T. Kingsbury, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2021, supported by his loving wife. Roy was born on April 12, 1928 in Keene, NH, the son of the late Allison Nims and Lucy Friend (Kingsbury) Piper. He completed his high school education at the Williston Academy in Easthampton, MA, and received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Brown University.

Following college, Roy joined the United States Army and served in the Army Corps of Engineers in the Philippines during the Korean War.

After his military duties, Roy was employed by Aero Services Corp (Philadelphia), which sent him around the United States mapping the Interstate Highway System. While working in New Jersey, he met and married his wife Anne, with whom he built a house in Keene and celebrated 65 years together.

The opportunity to purchase a land surveying business allowed Roy to return home, work in the outdoors which he loved, and pursue a career in which he excelled and was highly respected.

He was an active member of the community, and of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Keene. He served on the Church's Board, and for many years sang in the church choir and with the Keene Barber Shoppers. He was a multi-gallon blood donor, had been a member of the Keene Country Club, and served six years on Keene's Conservation Commission. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Poetry Society, and published a collection of his work titled "Eternity Lost and Other Poems".

A true New Englander, Roy loved cross country skiing, summers swimming and canoeing on Spofford Lake, and gardening in the backyard. He was an avid runner, who also enjoyed Dixieland jazz and attending the opera. But most of all he loved time with his family.

Roy will be greatly missed by his devoted wife: Anne Piper of Keene, NH; children: Jon Kingsbury Piper and his wife Beth of North Newton, KS, Stephen Roy Piper and his wife Susan of Dover, NH, and Kathrine Anne Piper and her husband Chad Swahnberg of Keene, NH; son-in-law: John Miglietta; grandchildren: Joshua and his wife Ashley, Emily and her husband Matthew, Samuel, James and his wife Hannah, Thomas and his fiancée Kylie, Aaron, and Lily; great-grandchildren: Theo and Wilona; as well as many nieces, nephews, distant cousins, and extended family and friends.

He was predeceased by his daughter Leslie Allison Miglietta, and siblings: David Piper and his wife Dorothy, Margaret Hanrahan and her husband Charles, and Nancy Murray and her husband James.

Memorial contributions may be made in Roy Kingsbury Piper’s honor to the Monadnock Conservancy, 15 Eagle Court, Keene , NH, 03431 (www.monadnockconservancy.org), or Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, PO Box 564, 312 Marlboro St., Keene, NH 03431 (www.HCSServices.org).

The family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Washington St. A reception will follow the service.