Darvin Pieper is the treasurer for the Gresham American Legion. He was born in Gresham and graduated from Gresham High School.
Pieper was in the Army for two years, serving stateside during the Korean War. He worked for 30-plus years at Little Rapids, retiring in February 1997 as supervisor on paper machines.
Pieper and his wife, Patsy, who works part time at Town Mart in Gresham, have been married 56 years and live in Gresham. They have three children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Pieper is an elder at Zion Lutheran Church in Gresham, where he works with the minister setting up service times.
He plows snow and shovels sidewalks in the winter. He likes to fish, make maple syrup and firewood, and has a big vegetable garden.
Q How long have you been in the Gresham American Legion?
A “Maybe 30 years. I didn’t join right away out of service.”
Q Why did you join?
A “I had been in service so they asked me to join. I was in service during the Korean War but never went out of the states. I went in service in 1954. I was a mechanic.”
Q What do you do for the Legion?
A “I’ve been the financial officer for about 10 years. I collect the dues and pay all the bills. We have meat raffles and the ice fishing derby. The meat raffles are the second Saturday of each month, but not in the summer. We all help out at the fishing derby. We’ve got three lots on Lower Red Lake where we used to put up tents. This is the first year we are using the Lions shelter. It’s inside and it’s warm with a gas furnace.”
Q Who does the Legion help?
A “We give money to Badger Boys State, Santa Claus, and help with other community programs.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “Just my free time to help out the Legion. I enjoy being with the people. Anything you do has got be to a habit.”
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