Dr. Robert J. Harper Jr., 81, a leading member of the scientific community and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 27, at St. Catherine's Village in Madison, Mississippi. The eldest of ten children, he was born on August 16, 1930, in Savannah, Georgia, and attended Marist and Cathedral Schools and was a 1948 graduate of Benedictine Military School there. He held a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University, graduating magna cum laude, in 1952. He went on to earn both his Master's Degree and his Doctorate in organic chemistry from Ohio State University.

Subsequent to his extensive education, he served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, working as a project officer at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Washington, D.C. For the next three years he was employed as a research chemist at Ethyl Corporation in Baton Rouge, and for the following two years at the Air Force Materials Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Harper was a lead scientist in the textile
finishing group at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Southern Regional Research Center SRRC at New Orleans, where he worked for over 30 years. Among his many research projects was development of processes for producing durable press/flame retardant fabrics, many of which were used in military applications. The originality of his entire body of work is evidenced by the fact that of his nearly 200 publications, thirty-nine are U.S. patents.

In addition to his papers, patents, and a book on durable press finishing, Dr. Harper had made more than 50 presentations at scientific meetings of the American Chemical Society, the Fiber Society, the Cotton Council, and the Industrial Fabrics Association International, among others. As an active member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists AATCC throughout his career, Dr. Harper served as vice-chairman for its Gulf Coast Section in 1989-1990. He was the recipient of a number of citations and awards throughout his career, culminating in being named the national 1991 Olney Medal recipient in recognition of the many contributions he had made to improving the chemical finishing of cotton and cotton blends. He retired in 1995 and enjoyed a happy retirement, visiting family and friends, as well as traveling to new locales.

He was a longtime, active member of St. Philip Neri Church in Metairie, where he and his wife, Ramona, resided for over 40 years and raised six children. In addition to family and church activities, his interests included bird watching, gardening, and square dancing. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and a contagious laugh and smile. Dr. Harper will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues, friends, and all who knew and loved him.

Dr. Harper is preceded in death by his parents: Robert J. Harper Sr. and Saretta Hazel Laves; brothers: Michael Harper and Patrick Harper; sister: Joan Harper; and his wife of over 50 years, Ramona Keiser Harper of Columbus, Ohio. Survived by brother: Joseph Harper; sisters: Rita Harper DeLorme, Sr. Mary Harper, Ann Harper Carter, Madge Harper, and Frances Harper Wheeler; six children: Theresa Rose Harper Ray, Margaret Anne Harper, Agnes Eileen Harper Lawrence, Robert Edmund Harper, Daniel Stephen Harper, and Dorothy Jean Harper Nulty. Also survived by his 15 grandchildren: Matthew Ray, Rachel Leppo, Sarah Harper-Tarantolo, Jesse Harper-Tarantolo, Laura Harper-Tarantolo, Lindsey Lawrence Brady, Daniel Lawrence, Mallory Lawrence, Hillary Lawrence, Amy Harper Suchma, Holly Harper, Shelly Harper, Stephen Harper, Michael Harper, and Joseph Nulty; and his great-grandchild, John Brady. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 1003 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, Georgia. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Burial will follow in Madison, Mississippi.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the wonderful caregivers who provided Dr. Harper with loving care and comfort during his final few years. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Breakthrough of Knoxville, TN serving Adults with Autism.

Arrangements provided by Natchez Trace Funeral Home, Madison, MS, and Fox & Weeks Funeral Home, Savannah, GA.