Dr. James Robert Piper

Born Tallassee Alabama January 14 1933. Son of Robert Arthur and Clara Jeanette Ashurst Piper. Preceded in death by his parents and his older half-sister Margie Piper Bailey. Survived by his wife Barbara Herren Piper, daughters Katherine Piper Whitfield (Curt), Susan Piper Norman (Bob ), son Howard herren Piper (Gina), sister Judy Watson (Gray), and ten grandchildren.

Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Entered A.P.I. in 1952, majoring in chemistry. Recieved B.S. in 1955. Enrolled in graduate school at Auburn U., recieved Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1960. Member Phi Lambda Upsilon. Accepted position at Southern Research Institute that same year. His long career at SRI included work for Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, during which time he developed a compound effective as a radioprotective agent used in cancer treatment.

Dr. Piper's career resulted in nearly one hundred publications and several book chapters. He was awarded the Scientific and Engineering Excellence Award by SRI in 1994.

He retired in 1998. He and his wife enjoyed travelling. Some of the most delightful trips were with grandchildren on intergenerational Elderhostels. Bob enjoyed the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and opera. He was a member of Auburn University COSAM Advisory Council. He belonged to the Unitarian Church of Birmingham.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 11, 5:00-7:00pm at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood, Alabama.Burial will be on Friday, April 12, in Tallasee,Alabama. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, April 13, at the UU Church of Birmingham at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Auburn University Scholarship Fund