Obituary: Piper, Clinton A. “Pete” M.D.
Age 89
“Pete”, M.D.
Born April 5, 1924 to Clinton and Barbara Piper in Pittsfield, NH and spent his childhood in Merrimac, MA.
At age eight, his father died and he went to work on a farm to help his mother support his two sisters during the Depression.
His father’s fatal lung condition instilled in him the desire to study medicine.
He achieved top scholastic performance which resulted in a scholarship to Boston University.
The day after Pearl Harbor, Pete enlisted and was streamlined through Harvard Medical School.
As a thoracic and vascular surgeon, he served in Korea and Japan, and became the Chief of Surgery at Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma.
He retired from the Army as a full colonel after 20 years of service to his country.
In 1943 he married Katherine “Chummy” Hall and together they raised their three daughters.
During their 29 year marriage, they shared their passions for the mountains, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding.
In 1995 he married Patti Baxter.
Together they traveled the globe, sharing Pete’s zest for living every day to its fullest.
His volunteer commitments included the Big Brother Program, forming a lifelong bond with little brother Travis McClenny.
In 1998 Pete was voted Big Brother of the Year.
Pete touched the life of everyone he met.
He was a member of the Pierce and Spokane County Medical Societies, the North Pacific Surgical Association, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, and the Marketeers Investment Club.
Pete passed away peacefully at his home on September 13, 2013.
He will be remembered for his stories, compassion, sense of humor, and huge heart.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane Endowment Fund at 4340 W. Ft. Geo Wright Dr., Spokane, WA 99224, 2nd Harvest Food Bank, or the charity of your choice.
A celebration of his amazing and incredible life will be held at Hamilton Studio Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 3pm.
Preceded in death by his sister Betty Ann Matanis, Pete leaves behind his wife Patti of 17 years; his three daughters Karen, Linda, and Suki; sister Verna Bridges; grandchildren Cylus and Abigail Archer; little brother Travis McClenny; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A life well lived.