Piatt was a standout athlete as a four-year starter and two-year All-Conference selection at tackle for the Warriors football team, and received his bachelor's degree in secondary education at ESSC in 1961.

His master's degree in education is from Lehigh University and his doctorate was earned at Nova Southeastern. In 1966 he began his administrative career as vice principal of East Stroudsburg High School and was named principal five years later.

Over the course of 23 years he served as superintendent of three school districts in New Jersey. He was Deputy Commissioner of Education for the State of New Jersey from 1983 to 1991.

Returning to ESU in 1991, Dr. Piatt received the (Kappa Delta Pi) student honor society's Outstanding Professor Award in 1994, 1997 and 2002, by the Student Pennsylvania State Educational Association. He received the ESU Alumni Association Great Teacher Award in 2005. He was the chair of the Professional and Secondary Education Department for five years until his retirement in 2006.

Services are tentatively planned for Thursday evening at the East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church on 87 S. Courtland St.