Clifton Howard Pieper was born in San Antonio on July 10, 1930, and died in Houston on February 22, 2013. He is survived by his niece and her husband, Lynn and Stephen Schenk, of San Antonio; great nieces Leslie and her husband Richard Koesterer, Sarah, and Emily; and a number of cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 1974; his brother and sister-in-law, Walter J. (Mike) Pieper, Jr. and his wife Jane; his nephew Walter J. (Coby) Pieper, III; and his parents, Walter and Aurelia Pieper.
Howard graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. After serving two years in the United States Army, Intelligence Corps, during the Korean Conflict, he returned to the University of Texas to earn a Master of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. He was a registered professional engineer in Texas and Louisiana and a registered architect in Nigeria, where he worked for almost five years. While at the University, he received the Robert E. McKee fellowship in 1955.
He was a member of the Texas and national societies of professional engineers, Professional Engineers in Private Practice, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Architects, Texas Society of Architects, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), National Society of Architectural Engineers, and numerous other professional societies. He held various offices in many of these organizations and was president of SAME. In 1977, he was awarded the Order of the Engineer, and in 1985, he received the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute National Award for Innovative Design in Concrete. He also published “The Effect of Diversity Habits of Families on the Cost of Residential Air Conditioning” and an award-winning paper, “Flexibility – Accidental or Planned,” for the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Howard was a renaissance man, a leader, a scholar, a world traveler, and a music lover. He was instrumental in reinstating deed restrictions in his subdivision, a central part of Houston’s Boulevard Oaks community. He served on his church council for three years. He was active in numerous charities and civic organizations and, again, held office in many of them. He was helpful to his many friends – of all ages – often charging “a Scotch” for valuable professional advice. Growing up, he was taught to love nature, and he had numerous and various pets over the years, including ducks, cats and parrots. His beloved and ancient African Gray, Sam, preceded him in death by just two weeks, and his two adored house cats, Mr. Mooch and Miss Dollar, are looking for a good home (call 713 521 0768).
As a result of his many interests, Howard has established the C. Howard Pieper Foundation of Houston, which will make yearly gifts to charitable causes – especially those dealing with animal care, the environment and the arts. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to this foundation, at 1644 Banks, Houston, TX 77006, or to the charity of your choice.
A memorial service, officiated by Reverend Doctor Robert G. Moore, will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77055, at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 16. A private graveside service was held earlier in San Antonio.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18