Harlan Piper

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Harlan H. "Hi" Piper, 90, of Fort Myers, Fla., passed away Monday, Sept. 3, 2012.

He was born Dec. 30, 1921, the son of Asa and Lydia Piper of Ohio, Ill.

At the age of 17, he became the youngest flight instructor in the United States. His flying career would go on to include crop dusting cotton in Mississippi and more instruction, and teaching Army Air Corps pilots to fly during World War II. In the late 1950's, he began flying for St. Louis-based Ozark Airlines. He began flying DC-3's and retired 25 years later flying the DC-9 jet. After retiring in 1981, he and his wife retired to Fort Myers, Fla.

Surviving are his wife, Bernice; three daughters, Nancy, Pam and Lauren; three sons, Brian, Terry and Boyd; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the Ozark Airlines Silver Swallow Alumni Association, 10 Regatta Bay Court, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367.