On Tuesday September 24, 2024, at the age of 106. Loving husband of the late Hilda Howell. Beloved father of Robert and Joe (Lea Anne) Howell. Cherished grandfather of Katie and David Howell. Our dear uncle, cousin and friend.
Richard was born in Sandusky, Ohio on Sept. 12, 1918 to Harry and Margaret (nee Bauman) Howell. Fascinated by flying from a young age, Richard served in the Navy from 1940 to 1960. During WW2 he was an aircraft mechanic deployed to the South Pacific then was assigned to flight school in 1944, graduating as an enlisted Naval Aviation Pilot the year after the war ended. He served as a Chief Petty Officer then later as a commissioned officer.
Richard married Hilda in 1950 and they had two boys. After Hilda died in 1959 Richard retired from the Navy and took a job in St Louis. From 1961 through 1982 he worked at the Aeronautical Chart & Information Center (later the Defense Mapping Agency). He was a dedicated single father to his sons, inspiring their interest in science and the outdoors.
Richard was an avid Notre Dame football fan, followed Cardinal baseball, hunted, fished, and he played tennis till he was 89 and played bridge till he was 98. He had a large network of friends and in retirement traveled widely to attend his WW2 unit reunions and to visit extended family. He and his only sister Mickey were close. Till the very end he maintained an active interest in the lives of his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children. He was an inspiration to them all.
Services; Funeral from Kutis South County Chapel (5255 Lemay Ferry) on Thursday 10/3, 9:30AM for 10AM Mass at St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church. Private interment Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery. Visitation at Kutis Wed. from 5-8PM
Special thoughts for a very special man and his family. My Father, Lt. Cmdr. Louis Burghardt, was a colleague, enlisted pilot and instructor in Pensacola when he met Dick. They remained close friends for their lives. Dick was often mentioned in my parents’ conversations and my brothers and sisters and I knew what a dear friend he had been to our family. We thank him for his loyalty to those he loved and to our nation. He was a true office and gentlemen.