Obituary of Herschel Howard

Herschel Dewitt Howard, 90, of Hadel Rd. passed away at his home February 1, 2014 with his wife" Hank" at his side, just as their program "The Lawrence Welk Variety Show" ended. Born in Minden, LA on August 2, 1923, he was the son of the late William and Mary Murphy Howard. He entered the U.S. Navy at 17 and served aboard the USS Vixen and USS Falcon during WWII. When he returned from the war he attended Dartmouth College. He graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from Case Institute of Technology (now Case Western Reserve University) in 1946. He married the former Harriet Taylor at St. Alban's Church in Cleveland Heights, OH on October 19, 1946. At 15 years of age "Hank" recalls telling her mother at a social event "I will marry that man" and three years later they wed. Herschel worked as an engineer for the G.E. Co. in Schenectady for 42 years, retiring in 1987. His wife ran a successful sales recruiting business known as Hank Ward Associates. They would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in October. The couple enjoyed the music of their generation until Herschel took his last breath. His life revolved around family. An honest and honorable man, he was patriotic and true to the rules of golf. He was predeceased by his granddaughter Michelle Howard and his great granddaughter Jaila Marie Harris. He is lovingly survived by his wife Harriet "Hank" Howard, daughter, Hollis Howard of Glenville; sons, Herschel Howard Jr. (Joyce) of Charlotte, NC, Paul T. Howard of Sandy Utah, Clay W. Howard (Kathleen) of Ft. Edward, NY and William H. Howard (Adele) of Wilton, NY. Grandchildren: Sean Howard, Jasmine Tabacco (Joe), Ashley Ryder, Taylor Ryder (Ashley Baia), Destiny Howard, Randi Kitchner (Scott), Paul Howard (Janelle Swanberry), Ken Howard (Courtney), Alyssa Howard (Bill Ball), Emily Howard, Matthew Howard and Mary Howard. Cherished great grandchildren: Hasten and Jayden Howard, Rebecca Kitchner-Campbell, Madelynn and Charlotte Kitchner and Sydney Tabacco. Herschel leaves behind his beloved cousin Gaylord James Jr. of Glenville and dear friends Ralph and Millie Roberts of Palm Harbor, FL. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Wednesday 11 AM at Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, 816 Saratoga Rd. (Rte 50) Burnt Hills with Rev. Holly Nye officiating. Calling hours Tuesday from 4 pm-7 pm at the GLENVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 9 Glenridge Rd. Glenville. Burial will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Veteran Cemetery, Schuylerville where Navy honors will commence at 1 P.M. In lieu of flowers, a remembrance in Herschel Dewitt Howard's name may be sent to APF, 53 Maple Avenue Scotia 12302 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 1 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis TN. Online codolences may be sent to www.glenvillefuneralhome.com