Prof. Jim Piper, AM
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Jim's obituary
Professor Jim Piper AM, aged 76, passed away after a two-year battle with cancer on 20 July 2023.
Others can summarise his many professional accomplishments far better than I, so let me write as a loving daughter. Dad was first diagnosed with metastatic renal cancer in early 2021, and with the indefatigable support of his devoted wife Anita he held it at bay as long as he could, living a full life and handling the nasty side effects of treatment with the stoicism and pragmatism that have always characterised him.
His final decline was very sudden and rapid, taking us all by surprise - less than a week after driving himself to research meetings, playing with his grandkids and celebrating my brother’s house sale, he was gone. He died as he lived: putting his loved ones first, trying so hard to respond while he still was able, and hanging on with great personal effort until they had all had a chance to say their goodbyes, then slipping quietly away.
Dad leaves a void we will never be able to fill. He was a person of brilliant intellect, insight and utter competence. But more than that, he was a person of complete and unblemished goodness. He was the kindest person I have ever known, the most selfless, the humblest, the most honest, and the most generous. He was also extremely witty, playful, affectionate, energetic and optimistic, with a irrepressible twinkle in the eye that let you know adventure was afoot.
He adored my mum and she he; they were intellectual equals and temperamental complements - a true soulmate pairing that cared faithfully, relentlessly and with tremendous love, warmth and admiration for each other to the last breath. His overriding concern in his last months was that mum would be alright once he was gone.
As a father and grandfather, he was just simply perfect. I don’t know what else I can say. He was what a father should be. My brother and I, our spouses, and now our children, were so loved, so cherished, and so well guided by him. He always showed up. He was our biggest fan, always. Dad was the first great love of my life and always will be.
And he was absolutely besotted with his grandchildren, who adored him in turn. He was part of the everyday fibre of their lives, having cared for them weekly since they were babies. I truly think never was a husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather so loved.
We are seeing from the responses coming in that Dad had a similar effect on so, so many people who had the great good fortune to cross paths with him - friends, colleagues and whole generations of students. As one prominent former student said “importance and impact are measured in how many lives you’ve touched, so that makes Jim the most important person I know”.
Dad, right now we can’t see for the tears, and can’t think for the pain in our hearts. But we know you want nothing but the fullest and happiest of lives for the cherished family and dear friends and colleagues you had to leave behind, so we will do our best to channel your strength and love and keep on making you proud.
Professional obituary, with thanks to Prof Mark Hutchisson, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, and President of Science & Technology Australia:
It is with profound sadness that I am emailing you to let you know of the passing of our esteemed colleague, mentor, and friend, Professor Jim Piper. Jim passed away peacefully on Wednesday night, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jim was a beacon of brilliance in the scientific community. Many of will know Jim best for his amazing contributions to our research in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) as a Chief Investigator and node leader at Macquarie University. Others will have worked with Jim through his career in key posts as President of Science and Technology Australia and DVCR at Macquarie University, amongst many other roles, all of which had immeasurable impact.
His legacy is reflected in the outstanding research rankings, the unique Australian Hearing Hub partnership (which in the last fortnight was awarded a CRA national innovation award), and the pioneering Master of Research degree. His influence was so profound that it is accurate to say Australian science would not be the same without him.
A world-class researcher, Jim authored or co-authored over 400 international refereed journal articles and hundreds of full-length published conference proceedings. He received nearly 13,000 citations and supervised more than 50 higher degree research students to completion, many of whom have established highly successful careers in their own right in research, industry, entrepreneurship, and education. He also invented or co-invented more than 20 patents.
Jim's leadership was inspiring. He was instrumental in fostering partnerships to commercialise research with industry, bringing international research students to Australia, and bringing Australia’s leading hearing organisations together under one roof. He continued this pioneering work up until just last week, meeting with industry partners on milestone progress reports.
Jim was not just a colleague but a valued friend. His dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on all of us. His influence extended beyond the walls of our institutions, shaping the careers and lives of countless individuals in the scientific community.
As we mourn the loss of Jim, we also celebrate his life and his immense contributions to science and technology in Australia. In honour of Jim's legacy, we encourage everyone to share their memories and stories of how Jim influenced their careers or lives. Your tributes will serve as a testament to the remarkable impact Jim had on us all.
Professor Jim Piper, we salute you – researcher and teacher, mentor and leader, colleague and friend. Your legacy will continue to inspire us, and your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.
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