Kiliper Jr., Harry

Harry Kiliper Jr.

Harry Kiliper Jr., 81, of Cedar Rapids, died at Cottage Grove Place on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. The Rev. Harlan Gillespie will officiate. Inurnment will be in Norway, Iowa Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Miriam Tuttle Kiliper; three daughters, Leslie Kiliper (Tom Lucas) of Charlotte, N.C., Melissa Kiliper-Ernst (Dave) and Suzanne (Randy) Krejci of Cedar Rapids; and seven grandchildren, Evan Lucas of Charlotte, N.C., Madeline Lucas of Cleveland, Ohio, Max Ernst of Providence, R.I., Kate Ernst of Ann Arbor, Mich., Lucy Ernst of Cedar Rapids, Liz and Hannah Krejci of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and May Kiliper; and brother, Jerry.

Harry was born Oct. 20, 1931, in Fort Dodge, the son of Harry and May (Schnurr) Kiliper. Soon after, his family moved to Long Island, N.Y., where they lived until moving back to Fort Dodge when Harry was in fifth grade. At Fort Dodge High School, Harry played basketball, ran track, and was the captain of the football team. He was also junior class president and student council president. This involvement earned his the distinguished Schultz Award for being the outstanding student and athlete in his senior class. Harry spent his summers working at the brickyard and going to the cottage at West Okoboji Lake.

Harry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Iowa State College (now University), where he met Miriam Tuttle. They married on June 14, 1953, at Collegiate Methodist Church in Ames.

Harry's first job was for General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y. Soon after, in 1954, he was called into active duty and received his orders to go to Japan. He and Miriam lived in Japan for a year-and-a-half where Harry was the Detachment Commander for the AACS Unit at Matsushima Air Force Base. He was in charge of the control tower, radar, and all communications. The mission was to train Japanese pilots to fly T-6 aircraft and Matsushima AFB had more landings and takeoffs than Tokyo International Airport. Upon returning home, Harry received an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant.

In April 1956, Harry got a job with Collins Radio Co. He worked at Collins, which later became Rockwell International, for 35 years. Harry started out as a cost estimator and ended up as vice president of finance and controller. He was a certified professional contract manager and fellow of the same organization. One thing that stood out to Harry was that Collins/Rockwell was always profitable and stable employment.

After retirement, Harry volunteered at Washington High School. For 12 years, he was a 9th grade girls' basketball coach and varsity boys' track coach. Harry also co-chaired Washington's successful campaign for a new all-weather track and baseball lights, helped upgrade the lights for the softball field, and he was instrumental in placing the Grant Wood Gallery in Washington's main lobby.

For his volunteer efforts, Harry was honored in a variety of ways: KCRG-TV9 9 Who Care Volunteer of the Year; Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame; Washington High School Outstanding Service Award and Washington's Athletic Club President's Award.

Harry was a man dedicated to his family and community. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, high standards, and great sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank all their family and friends for their visits and support. Also, thank you to the staffs at Unity Point Hospice and Cottage Grove Place for their wonderful care and kindness.

Please leave a message tribute or memory to the Kiliper family on the website, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published Sept. 22, 2013 in The Gazette