Howard Summers Jr.

Howard Summers Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Howard H. Summers Jr., retired chief state fire marshal for Virginia for 37 years, died at his home Saturday morning, Jan. 8, 2011 following an extended illness. His wife, Blanche M. Summers, a retired registered nurse, was with him at death. Summers had just recently celebrated his 62nd wedding anniversary and he and Blanche lovingly shared the same birth date, Oct. 31. Blanche relied on her medical background to see to Howard's every medical need during the last years of his life and the couple were practically inseparable. Summers was an activist in bringing fire sprinklers into commercial and residential usage all over the United States. He was a brilliant man with superb engineering skills and insight into problems of all sorts. Summers graduated from Norview High School in 1941 prior to joining the Navy. He served aboard the USS Hugh Purvis (DD709) during World War II. Summers graduated with mechanical and engineering degrees from Duke University and Virginia Tech prior to serving as professor of Fire Sciences at several local colleges. Before retiring as a lieutenant commander from the Coast Guard reserve, Summers served as an instructor in Port Security. He was a lifetime member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineer. He was an active board member of the AFSA, VA chapter, and VFPA until shortly before his death. He considered his campaign for life saving sprinklers in business and homes one of his proudest achievements. Summers was preceded in death by his late parents, Howard H. and Bessie Summers. In addition to his loving wife Blanche he is also survived by one brother, Curtis G. Summers of Chesapeake; and one son, Howard H. "Skip" Summers III of Norfolk. A chapel service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, by the Rev. Robert Pittman. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.