Robert M. Piper, 77, of Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pa., died Wednesday, March 19, 2003 in his home.

He was a self-employed New Jersey licensed electrician, owning and operating Piper Electric.

Born August 12, 1925 in Mifflin, Pa., he was a son of the late William and Gertrude McBlair Piper.

He was a Private First Class in the Air Force, serving with the 3rd Infantry Regimen, 106th Division in Northern France during World War Two. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the World War Two Victory Medal.

He was a former private pilot.

He and his wife, the former Helen Materniak observed their 44th wedding anniversary September 27th.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Gregory and his wife Barbara of Martin's Creek and a sister, Gloria Lohman of Velan, New Mexico.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. Cremation will be private following the services. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of services Saturday in the funeral home. Online condolences may be submitted at www.noto-wynkoop.com.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a cancer research foundation of one's choice.