Joseph Pieper Obituary

In a perfect world, we would be on a trail ride - you on Britches, me on Shadow, the dogs darting back and forth around us. Of course we'd be riding in the forest, climbing the cliffs and occasionally stopping to enjoy the scenery. (I can see you now, leaning forward on the horn, looking off into the distance.) There would be no words; the only sounds would be the horses’ hooves on the trail, the squeak of the saddle's leather and an occasional bird or two. And on that wonderful and beautiful day, all would be right between us. I miss you more than any words could adequately express. I wish you peace and contentment. Tammy

May you and your family fill your hearts with wonderful memories of your father. Your dad seemed to love life outdoors. The following poem seems to suit him......

"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quite birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die."

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, the Riki, Mark and Tryston

Thank you all for your stories and messages. They mean so much to those of us that continue to miss him every day.

What the heart has once known, it shall never forget and what we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we have loved deeply becomes a part of us.

With wonderful, loving memories,

Pat B. Elam

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Barbi and your family at this very difficult time.

It was my pleasure to know Joe as a neighbor at the Ridge Condominiums for the last few years. Though he was a somewhat private individual, he always gave a friendly wave and warm smile whenever I saw him coming or going. Joe shared his artistic abilities with our neighborhood in the beautiful floral arrangements he created around his home during the summer months: clay planters brimming with flowers and a bonsai “garden” in front of his unit; beautiful rose bushes on the side; and a mini flower garden at the back. I always admired his “green thumb” and personally appreciated his tastefully planted and carefully positioned flowers. It was Joe’s custom, in the last few years, to sit on his deck in warmer weather, enjoying a good meal and an occasional chat with us, his immediate neighbors. I quickly learned what a clever, witty individual Joe was. I’m glad I got to know him. Joe was a part of our Ridge family; I will miss him. In this time of grief, may the Lord comfort your hearts whenever you hurt, and may your happy memories sustain you and bring you great joy.

I lived close to Joe Pieper in the Ridge Condominiums and got to know Joe even better when I became a member of Ridge HOA Board. Although presenting a gruff exterior to the outside, Joe was certainly the most passionate advocate for maintaining the landscape and the appearance of the Ridge. If our landscaper ever forgot to fertilize the lawn or to clean up in the spring or fall, I could expect an impassioned, acerbic email from Joe to take action so that quality of the Ridge’s appearance would be maintained. However, Joe was much more than just a critic, for he was only Ridge resident to personally pay for another landscaper to fertilize the lawn by his condo several more times than were in the maintenance contract. In addition, Joe planted and meticulously cared for roses next to his condo and even set up solar lights in the summer to show case their beauty. He also paid for treated landscape ties to be installed around the base of the pine tree behind his condo and carefully planted shade-tolerant annuals to add more beauty to his “back yard.” I was honored when Joe, also the builder of our condo, let me take his personal copy of his blueprints and have them reproduced so the Board would have an irreplaceable record for future projects, and I want to personally thank his daughter, Barbi, for giving me Joe’s blueprints after he passed away.

My first introduction to Joe was at my first annual condominium home owner's meeting for The Ridge, which was in 1997. Linda and I left the meeting wondering who this outspoken man was that would voice his opinion in such a commanding way that his conviction for what he was saying was the indisputable truth. He was forbidding. I came to better understand Joe as a man who could elegantly espress what he felt, regardless of what you may want to hear. I admire his ability to represent his feelings with such conviction. We, at The Ridge, consulted him for his insights and advice to help us make prudent decisions as HOA board members for The Ridge. We will miss the wisdom and presence he brought to our community at The Ridge.

I miss you grandpa and hate the fact that you never got to meat my AWESOME family. I know you would of loved them. You have always been in my thoughts and prayers and you will always remain their! We all love you and miss you a ton!!!!

Know you are in my prayers -- Pastor Susie

Thanks for the stories, Joe. You are still living the dream!!!

I have known Joe for more than forty years. We first met when he was a
foreman for Vroman Homes and I was
the drywall contractor. When we moved to the Ridge He was the construction Superintendent here as well and saw to it that we received a good work on our Condo. My wife June gave him baked goodies and he shared his trout with us.
June discover that rhubarb jam was his favorit. Our Ridge family will greatly miss him

Oscar & June Frank

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Joe was the new kid when he showed up at CSHS. All the west side kids were his friend. After all there was a soda fountain at the Piper Drug store. He intorduced a lot of us to the suicide coke. I haven't seen or heard from Joe since graduation even though I have never missed a reunion. He was a great kid and I am sure he was a great man. RIP my friend,
LLoyd Needham CSHS class of 1957

Rest in peace to a special person.

'Thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have is memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake in which I'll never part. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.'
I miss you Dad, hope the trout are biting!

I love you and miss you Daddy. I will miss your stories and humor. What I will miss most is all the things you will not be able to share with my children and grandchildren. Happy hunting Dad.

Rest in Peace.

Rest in Peace, my friend. Thanks for the fun times.