Richard Harper (3) (1928–2012)

Author of crime/mystery books, such as Death to the Dancing Masters, Death Raid, The Kill Factor, Death to the Dancing Masters.

From obituary: "Richard J. Harper, ...[died]...January 29, 2012. Although a graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, he never worked at that trade since fiction was his passion. He was at various times a U. S. Marine, forest ranger, airline passenger agent, a U. S. Border Patrolman, insurance investigator and an employment interviewer with the Dept. of Economic Security from which he retired. In the 50’s and 60’s he wrote a score of short stories published in various magazines. The most popular “The Samaritan” was published in various magazines and books. Later he had eight novels published including, “Kill Factor” which in 1984 was nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe Mystery Writer Award for first year mystery novels. He had two more published in a series with the same detective, Tom Ragnon. Richard (Dick) was an outdoorsman enjoying camping, fishing and hiking. He was a site steward for the Arizona state parks. "