Ronald W. PIPER

1928 - 2022

With sadness, we announce the passing of Ron Piper at 94 years of age. Ron was born on September 20, 1928, in Cranbrook, BC. His parents were Harold G Piper and Mary J (Penna) Piper. Ron had an idyllic childhood spent in the little lumber mill town of Lumberton just 8 miles south of Cranbrook. Summers were spent at the baseball field and bird hunting with his dad and brothers. Winters were sleigh riding and playing ice hockey. Although born at the beginning of the Great Depression, the little town of Lumberton was spared the worst of the depression as everyone had a good job at the lumber mill and all were part of a wonderful community. In his mid-teens, the mill was closed and the family returned to Spokane to be welcomed back into his mother's Penna family with loving uncles, aunts, and cousins. The Pennas were a large Italian clan full of gregarious, happy people who loved each other and were very close. He was always proud of his Italian heritage and glad to be a part of this big family. After his return to Spokane, he attended and graduated from North Central High School. His first job was as an usher at the Fox Theater. Next, he ran the elevator at the Paulsen Building and remembered delivering Mrs. Paulsen upstairs to her penthouse. From there Ron was hired at the First National Bank as a messenger. His banking career was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. Always the banker, he served in the Finance Corps. He from messenger to Assistant Cashier and then Branch Manager. In 1978 Ron graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking school at the University of Washington. Many Spokane businessmen can thank Ron for loaning them money to begin their businesses. Ron was an old-fashioned banker who relied on his keen judge of character to decide who deserved a start-up loan. Later in his career, he worked for the fledging Bank of Spokane and finally retired in 1985. Ron married Sharon (Jacky) Piper in 1966 and began life on his 200-acre ranch in Elk, Washington. In 1969, their son Ron Piper Jr. Was born and in 1973 his twin girls Kelli and Tricia Piper completed the family. From the start, Ron was a wonderful and loving father. If you were lucky enough to be loved by him, he would make sure that you always had everything you needed. His children will always remember Saturdays meant a trip up to Newport to the variety store to buy one- just one- toy of choice followed by dinner out at the Golden Spur. He said the two happiest days of his life were the days his children were born. The worst day by far was the day in 2005, he lost his beloved daughter Tricia. Ron and Sharon parted company in 1995 but remained friends for life. Ron was a dog guy, all of his (many) dogs had the best master. His heart broke every time he lost one of them. Ron spent the last years I'd his life walking his ranch with his dog and enjoying lunches and dinners with his family. The last year he was in the gentle loving care of Apen Quality Care and his family was grateful for the good care he received there. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Harold G. and Mary Piper, his daughter, Tricia Piper, his brothers, Richard Piper and Hal Piper, as well as several first cousins. He is survived by son, Ronald Piper Jr., daughter, Kelli Piper, grandson, Tony Romish Jr., a great-grandson, Camden Romish, former wife, Sharon Piper, his nieces and nephews in the Piper family and first cousins of the Penna family. A graveside service will be held for Ron at Holy Cross Cemetery, Saturday, November 19 at 1:30 pm.