Floyd Piper

Floyd Piper, 93, of Wichita, Kansas took his final breath Saturday on June 27, 2015 in his home.
He is survived by beloved family and his loving wife and best friend of 72 years, Elizabeth Piper. He was deeply loved and will be missed by his children, James (Catherine) Piper of Oceanside, CA, Dr. John Piper of Panama City Beach, FL, Joan (James) Baldwin of Kutztown, PA and Jane Piper of Monterey, CA. His grandchildren Deirdre Piper, Blossom Tichenor, Beau Baldwin, Megan Heise, Christina Piper, Jeffrey Piper and Eric Piper admired and loved him as did his 7 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Dawn Bronsema of Downey, CA and many nieces and nephews.
Floyd was born on November 13, 1921 in Bristow, Iowa to Steve and Violet (Walsh) Piper.  He grew up in Dumont, Iowa and he always valued the life lessons of education, honesty and hard work learned in a small town.  Floyd attended Cornel College and graduated from Iowa State University in 1948. He enjoyed a devoted and loving marriage with Elizabeth. Together they traveled to every state and over 50 countries. One of his favorite hobbies was photography. He took videos and thousands of pictures to share with friends and family of their adventures. 
While traveling with Friendship Force, Floyd and Elizabeth stayed in a commune in China, kabutz in Israel, went on safari in Kenya and enjoyed the sights in Egypt, Philippines, Thailand, and many other countries. For many years, he attended WWII Glider Pilot reunions around the country. He traveled extensively to family reunions, graduations and weddings across the country.
Floyd always enjoyed flying. Taking his first flight when he was 10 years old, he was a licensed pilot for 60 years logging over 6,000 hours. He began instructing prior to WWII and was a flight instructor for over 30 years.  In 1941 he became an instructor for the Army Air Corp Glider School and the Primary Flying School.  He was a Military Pilot flying the C-54 and other aircraft in the Pacific Theater. He flew many trips to Iwo Jima, landing on metal strips on the beach to evacuate wounded back to the hospital in Guam.  Many trips were made to Japan to take in supplies and personnel before the peace was signed.
After the war, he taught flight test procedures to undergraduate engineering students and also taught aeronautical engineering students to fly.  That year he began working for Boeing Air Plane Company as a research engineer and flight test engineer. He participated in the original flight test of the In Flight Refueling systems. In 1951, he became project engineer for Collins Radio Company as a Project Engineer on flight control systems and coordinated military marketing.
He also provided technical assistance to European airlines and manufacturers and worked on Air Force One. From 1954-1957, Floyd worked at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita.  There he set up the Avionics Lab Facility, developed production test procedures and was responsible for flight test evaluations. He moved his family to Denville, New Jersey in 1957 where he worked as Chief Engineer and Chief Systems Engineer for Aircraft Radio Corporation (Division of Cessna).
In 1971 he returned to Wichita to become President of Edo Aire Corporation (flight instrument division) introducing new product lines. In 1983, he joined IFR Systems as Director of Engineering. Floyd was an electrical engineering instructor at Wichita State University.  Upon retiring in 1990, Floyd was an electrical engineering expert witness for airplane accidents.
Floyd was very well known in the Wichita community. He has been a member of the West Heights United Methodist church where he served on numerous committees. He was also a long time member of the  Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Legion, Botanica (Charter Member), Downtown Lions Club, Friendship Force, Masons, Consistory, Midian Shrine, Ambassadors, Sojourners, High Twelve, National WWWII Glider Pilot Association, Retired Professional and Business Men, Quiet Birdmen and Wichita Manufactures Association.
He loved giving presentations to civic groups and was an avid Wichita State Shockers fan, who rarely missed a baseball or basketball game. Floyd was an extraordinary man who was loved, admired and respected by many and will be greatly missed by friends and family. Floyd’s devotion and love for his wife was always his first priority. His outward expression of kindness and love for his family and friends was always evident.  His wonderful sense of humor and smile will be greatly missed. Photographs and videos taken by Floyd will also be treasured as a remembrance of special times shared together.
Service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 2 PM at West Heights United Methodist Church, 745 Westlink Ave., Wichita, Kansas. Donations may be given in his honor to Planes of Mercy Midian Shrine Center, 130 North Topeka Street, Wichita, KS 67202. (316) 265-9676; Wichita Aviation Museum, 3350 George Washington Blvd S. Wichita, KS 67210 316.683.9242 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. 313 S Market St. Wichita, KS 67202 (316) 265-9441. Downing & Lahey Mortuary West. Online tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com.