ROCKPORT – James Calvin Pieper, 76, died peacefully following a period of declining health, Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Sussman Hospice House in Rockport.  His beloved wife of 52 years was at his side. 

Born March 4, 1943 in Beeville, Texas, James was the son of Samuel John Louis and Beulah Pullin Pieper.  Jim grew up and attended school in Texas.  After high school he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Texas A & I University. Upon graduation, Jim entered the work force with the Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era.  He served for two years at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory located outside Hanover, New Hampshire.  

In 1967 Jim married Linda Kastberg, whom he had met while stationed there.  The pair were married in Sanford, Maine, and spent their honeymoon driving to Texas where they made their first home.   Jim was employed as an engineer with Brown and Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton Company but left to help run his father’s general contracting business for 5 years. He later returned to Brown and Root where he designed off shore oil drilling platforms and managed the Harbor Island fabrication yard in Port Aransas. During this time, Jim was responsible for the design and construction of the ‘Lena Guyed Tower’, which at that time was the largest off shore
platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Jim’s career afforded him the opportunity to travel, making trips to Venezuela, Mexico, and later, Japan and China serving as a consultant to several oil corporations.

In 1989 Jim and his family relocated to Midcoast Maine, eventually settling in their Rockport home at Glen Cove.  His sharp, engineering mind made him a perfect fit for his positon at Fisher Engineering where he designed and patented the first ‘Minute Mount Plow’.  He continued working and was named on several more patents before retiring from Fisher in 2009.  

A master wood worker, Jim handmade many of the furniture pieces in his home. 

His family said he could fix anything, enjoyed rebuilding furniture, taught himself to re-cane chairs and made many beautiful works of art including in-laid wooden serving trays. 

From an early age he enjoyed coin and stamp collecting, a hobby he continued throughout his life.  He was always active and enjoyed volunteering his time at the Maine Lighthouse Museum for several years. 

He was an active member of People’s United Methodist Church, South Thomaston serving on various boards and committees. He also served as ‘clerk of the works’ for the A.I.O food pantry expansion project.  For many years Jim was a member of the Camden Association for Handicapped Citizens at Coastal Opportunities.  

His wife remembered that he was generous, sometimes even to a fault.  He was a kind, quiet man with a particular, exacting mind who was easy going and never complained, even when life dealt him a ‘raw deal’.  He will be sadly missed by all who loved him.  

Predeceased by his parents, Sam and Beulah Pieper, formerly from Beeville, Texas; a brother, Dr. Sam Pieper, Jr., formerly of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, of Rockport; his children, James William Pieper and his wife, RaeAnn, of San Antonio, Texas; Anna Pieper Jones and her husband, Carlton, of Crockett, Texas; and Michael Pieper, of Owls Head; his siblings, Bernard Pieper of Houston, Texas; William Pieper, and Norma Pieper, both of The Woodlands, Texas; and five grandchildren, Madeline Pieper and Brian Pieper both of San Antonio, Texas, Sam Jones, Emma Jones and Grace Jones all of Crockett. Texas. 

A celebration of Mr. Pieper’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2019 at People's United Methodist Church, South Thomaston.  The Reverend Michelle Wiley will officiate.  

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either, People’s United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 83, South Thomaston, ME 04858 or Coastal Opportunities 35 Limerock Street, Camden, Maine 04843.  

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  

To share a memory or condolence with the Pieper family please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.