Keith Howard

Keith Howard
June 19, 1944 - January 15, 2018
Danville, CA
Keith Howard of Danville, CA died January 15th, 2018, in a fatal bike accident. He was 73.
Keith was born in La Jolla, CA in 1944 as a 4th generation Californian and grew up in Walnut Creek. His youth was a scene from one of his favorite movies American Graffiti; filled with sports, friends, and even a lip-sync cover band. Keith graduated from Cal Berkeley and Hastings Law School in San Francisco. Keith married Laurie Welsh September 6th 1969 and was in love with her until the day he died.
Keith began practicing law in Walnut Creek in 1969 first with Tinning & DeLap and then as a Sr. Partner with Cooper White and Cooper, where he ultimately became one of the premier environmental attorneys in the Bay Area. He gave back to his community through volunteer work with the Rotary Club, Cal Trout, John Muir Foundation, and the Lindsay Wildlife Experience.
His passion, however, was in living life and loving the life he lived. Keith was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, cyclist and music lover. These passions took him all over the US and Europe. During his adventures Keith built networks of close friends who came to know Keith for his good humor, sage advice and utter ineptitude in the kitchen. He was very humble and did not like to show off, but anyone who saw him "bop" to a 50's song on the dance floor was in for a sight they'd never forget. He was an eternally loyal, although often frustrated Cal Bears fan. It was usually best to NOT remind him that his wife graduated from Stanford. Most of all Keith was deeply devoted to his family. He was the best "Opa" a grandkid could have; taking the kids on the nature trail, building rope swings, forts, treehouses, swimming in the pool, teaching them marksmanship. He especially enjoyed vacationing with his immediate family in Del Mar and Scott Valley watching them play and have many of the same experiences he had at his own childhood haunts.
Keith is survived by his wife Laurie, their children Kaye Howard Cowen (David) and Andy Howard (Erin Kellogg Howard), grandchildren Carter, Lauren, and Katherine Cowen, Braden and Cassidy Howard and his siblings Christy Howard Wilson and Lester Howard.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to The Gardens at Heather Farm, Lindsay Wildlife Experience; California Trout; John Muir Foundation in lieu of flowers.


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