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Manchester Memorial High School Brown University Dartmouth College

Richard Piper Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 12, 2025.

Manchester New York, New York- Richard D. Piper,72, died suddenly on March 3, 2025 in New York City, the City he loved and called home for over 45 years.

Dick was born on September 1, 1952, in Manchester NH to Nancy Kuzmich Piper and Richard S. Piper. He achieved the honor of Eagle Scout in the B.S.A and earned membership in The Mayflower Society. Dick graduated from Manchester Memorial High School in 1970, third in his class, and with honors from Dartmouth College in 1974. He also spent a year abroad studying at the Sorbonne University in Paris where he became fluent in French. During his time there, he had the opportunity to work at the 1972 summer Olympics in Germany. Dick went on to receive both a Master's degree and PhD. in French Literature from Brown University, where he met his future husband, Robert Riger.

Together they travelled the world, eventually settling in New York City where Dick had a number of interesting jobs including working as an Administrator for the American Scandinavian Foundation and as Office Manager and Assistant to the President of Anne Taylor. He loved reading, antiquing, art and the theater, especially Broadway. Gardening at their home on Shelter Island was also a favorite pastime. Dick was well known for his "perfect" Christmas trees decorated with antique ornaments, and for being an excellent cook. The dinner rolls he made from scratch were a family favorite at Holidays. He was also a very caring pet parent to his cat Michagaus and dogs Lucky and Lady.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, and his husband. He is survived by his brother Thomas Piper and wife Kristin Spath of Concord, NH; sister Patricia Marchand and husband Danny Marchand of Manchester NH; niece London Piper and her children Dylan and Sage; nephew Benjamin Piper and his children Zoey and Grady; and nephews Nathan and Cody Marchand. He is also survived by his dearest friends Leila and Ron Cathcart and Michel Picone and partner Michael Larkin.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Richard Piper , NH -

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