Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Howard Erlanger Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Howard Erlanger
Kimberly White
May 1, 2017
I met Howard as a little girl, going with my father to the shop to drop off the car. He was always so nice to me, just like having another dad. My favorite memory was when I was coming back from college and I pulled up to his office with a horrid screeching coming from under the hood. I didn't even get out of the car and he came out looked at me, had me pop the hood and he cut a belt and told me, "there you go, now you don't have A/C, but your car will keep running safely. See you later, Kim" I loved that everytime I came back to STL I could stop and see my friend and just talk to him about life in Colorado and read his funny posters. The favorite was the wife on the lift and the car on the ground. I am so heartbroken, as I am sure is everyone who knew him. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Shari Kelts
February 16, 2017
I have only just heard of Howard's death, and I cannot fully express how sad it makes me. I have taken my car to Howard's for 25 years. In that time, he kept from buying several lemons with his very thorough inspections of used cars, actually found a car for me when I was at a hard time in my life, and of course took excellent care of my cars. I valued not just his commitment to his work, but his humor and the delight he took in the simple things of life, and most especially in his family.
He was a truly good man, and his passing leaves a hole in the world.
Cheryl Heinle
November 17, 2016
My heartfelt condolences to Diane and family and employees. I was truly saddened to learn of Howard's passing. For over 25 years I've taken my cars there and trusted him implicitly. A consummate professional , I had the utmost respect for him and his knowledge. Howard was always fair and honest, a true car "surgeon". I learned so much from him, not only about cars, but life and family. His family meant everything to him. Rest in peace Howard. We are all better for having known you.
November 15, 2016
Please accept my condolences for the death of Howard. I just was informed today and if I had known on October 28th I would have been at his Mass. I knew him not only from taking our Honda to his garage but I am the anesthetist who administered your son's anesthetic at MO Baptist many years ago. He was the most honest and competent person in his field. He looked you straight in the eye with a wonderful dry sense of humor and you could trust and believe the information he gave you. I will truly miss him and heaven is a better place since he arrived.
Claire Aubuchon
Mike Spellecy
November 7, 2016
I first met Howard when I owned two MGBs in the '70s (I know, I'm the smart one). Obviously this gave me the chance to get to know him pretty well. Howard was not only an automotive expert, but an honest business man who did superb work at the best prices in town. And what a fun, great guy. I was fortunate to take better cars to him over the years, but as I then didn't see him as often there was a downside. A very talented, engaging man. He is greatly missed. My thoughts, prayers and best wishes to his family.
Marty Carroll
November 1, 2016
So sorry to learn of Howard's passing. I first met him in 1976 during my SCCA racing days, later as my trusted mechanic. I have fond memories of cookouts with Howard, Tim, Harpo and Dorsey way back when. My sincerest condolences to Diane and the whole family.
Eliot Fisher
October 31, 2016
Howard taught me how to make a Lotus go fast way back in the 1970s when I worked at Abington Motor Cars as a mechanic. I spent a lot of time in his shop watching and learning as he worked on 7s Super 7, Elans, Europas and many others.....& of course his tire smokin' Super 7 Rest in Peace Howard........you were an important mentor in my mechanic and racing life!
Debbie Willenbrink
October 31, 2016
I'm so sad to learn that Howard has passed away. I met him 20 years ago and would not make an automobile move without his input. He was a wonderful man who took great care of us and he will be missed. My heart is heavy. My thoughts are with the family.
Susie Morice
October 31, 2016
A marvelous man that I trusted to the bone, Howard stood apart from all others. I am heartbroken to learn he has passed. Sending my affection and love to his family.
Larry, Linda, Stacy & Sean Burrell
October 30, 2016
So saddened to hear of Howard's passing. Once we started taking our cars to his shop in Fenton almost 20 years ago, we never bought another non-foreign car nor did we trust another mechanic.
His passing leaves a professional and personal hole in the lives of many of us who patronized his shop for years.
God bless Diane and the rest of the family and friends, employees, and customers of this very special man....
Laura
October 28, 2016
I did not know Howard as a friend, I had brought my car in because I asked a friend for a reference. "I take my cars to Howard he is the best and I trust him". And that proved out the many times I brought my cars to Howard. He was always friendly and thoughtful. And you can see by all these entries that one person can have a ripple affect through-out the region. God is amazing how he works through man. God Bless you Diane & the entire family as I know the void he has left. May God's peace and mercy be with you.
Sheila & Bill Campbell
October 27, 2016
To the Family :
Howard was a good friend! We raced together in SCCA and he was my main mechanic for over 30 years @ Sports Car Center. I was with Howard on the Tuesday before he passed, and we spent two hours in his office remembering the "good old days" in SCCA and racing on the Wentzville Track. In the 30 years I have been taking my car(s) to him, Tuesday was the first time I ever brought donuts to him and the guys at the shop. Looking back, Tuesday was a special time for me with Howard ! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all !
Sheila & Bill C.
Joanne and Dana Runge
October 27, 2016
We will miss seeing him at church, and even though we didn't know him that well he was always friendly and said hello. Please know, Diane you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss.
Jackie & Mike Digby
October 27, 2016
Howard will be greatly missed. A true gentleman, we trusted him implicitly. Paryers to your family. Plan to drive "Flame", my Miata, in the funeral procession - Howard took care of my baby car for 15 years!
Sentekin Can
October 27, 2016
Very sad of loosing a good friend, although we started as a customer of Howard. Our prayer is with Erlanger family.
Sen and Carollyn Can
John Ferguson
October 27, 2016
My condolences to Howards' family. Howard was a Master Technician and always pleasant to talk to. Howard will be missed by many.
Alan Blest
October 26, 2016
Condolences to the Erlanger Family. May you find peace in dealing with the loss of your loved one.
October 26, 2016
My condolences to the entire Erlanger family. I was so saddened to learn of Howard's passing. Howard took well-deserved pride in his knowledge, skills, and honesty. All of us knew and appreciated these fine qualities in Howard. He was the man we called anytime a unique and seemingly unsolvable problem arose in our cars. He always correctly diagnosed and fixed the problem in a most timely and cost efficient manner. Howard will be missed by so many of us, his admirers.
Irwin Neufeld, Kirkwood, Missouri
Sonia Lansche
October 26, 2016
Little did I know when I first brought my car to Howard, that he was my High Ridge neighbor. He always made sure my car was safe to drive on the steep and winding road we live on. Howard, I'll miss our talks when I came to pick up my car. Diane and family, you have my deepest sympathy.
Gregg Nelson
October 26, 2016
You will be missed. Everybody I know that knew you liked and trusted you.
Steve and Diana Ott
October 26, 2016
We are sending our love and prayers to you and your family, Diane. Knowing that people live on through the memories and love they've given to others, we know that Howard will always be with us. We've known you all for so long that you feel like part of our family, and our hearts are breaking for you. May God grant you strength and peace!
Mark Taylor
October 26, 2016
Howard provided my parents, Lee & Sallie Taylor, with honest and mindful auto service for decades. I always felt my family was in good hands when our cars were under his roof. He will be missed dearly for his spirit and his perpetual kindness.
Steve Huffman
October 26, 2016
Diane and family, I'm so sorry to hear about my friend through the ages, Howard. My relationship goes back to when he had Howard's Place in Sunset Hills and I was introduced to him by Leon Volling and Norm McFarlane back in '75. He was one of the smartest men I ever knew. He liked to tell the story about how he fixed my car from dying when it turned right, but would not do so when he or anyone else rode with me to try to recreate the condition. It was the most obscure thing, a rusted and loose component that was able to short out the electrical system unless 2 people were in the car. Amazing!...then and through the ages. Bye, Howard! As you said on the phone many times: "see you, bye" May God bless Diane and all the others.
October 26, 2016
Howard was one of a kind, was willing to take the time to explain repairs to me, before I bought my car I took it to Howard for his opinion, he loved his work but his pictures and stories of his grandkids really made him smile...
Sally Jacobsen
Nancy Burgess
October 26, 2016
Howard's death will leave a huge hole in my life. I've known him since Sports Car Centre opened and never doubted him for a minute. I'm shocked and saddened by his death. My sincere sympathy to his family, of whom he was so proud.
Nancy and Lee Struckhoff
October 25, 2016
Diane and family, I was so saddened to hear of Howard's passing. You will forever be etched in my mind as the loving family filling the pew on the side of church across from choir. The world has lost a wonderful man, but you know God will hold him close until you can all be together again. Love and prayers, always...
October 25, 2016
My husband and I have been going to see Howard with all of our family cars for the past 25 years. He was so honest and he always took care of our daughters cars to make sure they were safe on their road trips back and forth to college. It really meant so much and we will truly miss him.
Ted and Kelley Wright
Julie and Bill Woerther
October 25, 2016
Howard will be greatly missed, he was an honest man and an expert in his field,
always making sure we had good safe cars for our whole family.
Scott Kier
October 25, 2016
I am shocked to hear about the loss of a truly great man. Howard was loved by so many, and for so many reasons. From his role as Husband, Father, and Friend, Howard was such a loving, caring soul. He will truly be missed by many. My condolences go out to Diane, Bryan, Kurt, and Marc, as well as all others affected by this great loss. My prayers are with you all.
Richard Sintzel
October 25, 2016
I'm sorry to hear about my dear racing buddy and car fanatic Howard today. He and I have had long conversations about cars, car repairs and just life in general. I will truly miss a great friend.
This has brought up so many memories of us at Formula Atlantic races.
Cory Beckmann
October 25, 2016
He will be missed. Some of the best memories i had of my childhood were with the scout troop and Mr. Erlanger. May he rest in peace.
Sheila DeHart
October 25, 2016
I have known Howard since he first opened his shop in 1977. My dad was one of his first very loyal customers. When my dad passed away in 1986, Howard was at his funeral. My husband and I have continued to be very loyal customers over the years. You will not find a more honest hard working man out there. Howard will dearly be missed.
McAvoy Clan
October 25, 2016
Condolences to Diane and your family.Thanks to Howard's caring leadership and push, we have two Eagle Scouts in the house. RIP dear friend.
Mary Clare and Kurt Darland
October 25, 2016
Howard was the Best! We took our cars to him for 20+ years. He was always there for us and through those years we developed great admiration and respect for him. I loved the look on his face when we occasionally bought an American-made car. It was priceless! His face lit up when we asked about his grandchildren...his family was his greatest joy. I don't think we ever told him so, but we loved Howard and we will miss him dearly.
Mary Clare and Kurt Darland
October 25, 2016
Howard was the best. We have taken our cars to him for 20+years and through those years we developed an enormous amount of respect and admiration for him. We never bought a car or went on a trip without first consulting Howard. It didn't matter what he had going on, he would take the time to take our call, help us understand what was going on and give us a solution. I loved the look on his face when we occasionally bought an American-made vehicle. It was priceless! His face would light up when I asked about his grandchildren...his family was his greatest joy. I don't think we ever told him so, but we loved Howard and we will miss him dearly.
Nathan Snodgrass
October 25, 2016
Mr. Erlanger was my Scout leader for several years. He was a great man with a true heart for service. I am thankful for the opportunity to have known him for so long.
Bob & Margaret Hook
October 25, 2016
We have lost a truly good man, totally giving of himself to so many. Our prayers are with the family.
Sheila Snodgrass
October 25, 2016
Howard touched many lives in the scouts, sharing his time and his talent. We are grateful for his dedication. He was a good man and friend to many.
Chris King
October 25, 2016
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We will miss Howard around his shop. He was always such a helpful, honest business man and good hearted person giving the best of advise and very supportive. He was a professionals professional and yet, a very humble Man in many ways.
God blessed us with him for all these years. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Mark Fischer
October 25, 2016
A wonderful and giving person with a big heart and big smile. My life is definitely the richer for having known him. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Showing 1 - 40 of 40 results
Make a Donation
in Howard Erlanger's name
Memorial Events
for Howard Erlanger
Funeral services provided by:
Kutis Funeral Home, Inc, Affton Chapel10151 Gravois Road, Saint Louis, MO 63123
How to support Howard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Howard Erlanger's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
