Obituary: Harper, Albert William “Pete”
Age 85
HARPER,
Albert William “Pete”
02/17/1927 - 05/11/2012
Albert William Harper was born at home in Harlowton, Montana on February 17, 1927 to Almore and Mabel Serruys Harper.
He passed away on May 11, 2012 at the Riverview Care Center with his family by his side.
Al graduated from Harlowton High School in 1945 and Montana State College in 1955 with a degree in Civil Engineering.
He served in the Navy in World War II and was recalled to the Korean Conflict in 1952.
He met his wife, Shirley Kienast, at Montana State University and they were married five months later in 1948 in Miles City, Montana.
After graduating from college he went to work with the Engineering Office of the Milwaukee Railroad.
Later he became District Representative for the Douglas Fir Plywood Assn.
(later named the American plywood Assn) with his office in Spokane, WA.
He promoted quality and auditing in the use of structural plywood by educating lumber companies, lumber mills, architects, contractors and teaching classes in colleges in Washington, Idaho and Montana.
Al served as Chapter President of the Civil Engineering Society, District Representative for JayCees, had belonged to the Masonic Lodge, served as an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, Board Member for the Home Builders Assn and the Boy Scouts of America, President of PTA, President of Hoo Hoo which is an international lumberman’s fraternal organization, Republican precinct officer, and for many years he served on the precinct election board.
He is a member of Shadle Park Presbyterian Church.
He lettered for four years in basketball and played his freshman year at MSU before transferring to MSC.
He enjoyed fly fishing, golf, tennis, bowling, dancing, woodworking and spectator sports.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Jack Harper, Bob Harper and Mary Harper Klock.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years and their children and families; Jack Harper (Ann and children, John (Kim) and Stephen), Lt.
Colonel Jim Harper (who retired from the Air Force and returned to Spokane to help care for his parents), Jean Harper Sarchet (David and children, William and James), and Joan Harper Johnson (Steve).
He was a wonderful and much loved husband, father and grandfather.
Al and Shirley have resided at Riverview Village since 2009.
The family is very grateful for the wonderful care he was given at Riverview Care Center and for the kindness of their friends and of Pastor Cindy Carter.
According to his wishes there will be no service and inurnment will be in Miles City, Montana where both Al’s and Shirley’s families had homesteading backgrounds.
SPOKANE CREMATION & FUNERAL SERVICE