Robert Morgan Howard

Robert Morgan Howard 1922 ~ 2008 Born June 7, 1922 in Salt Lake City to Orrin Monroe and Emma Rozina Howard, Robert Morgan Howard passed away Tuesday, Jan. 8th, surrounded by loving family.Bob always embraced his many responsibilities, from being a watchful brother, helping to raise his younger brother, Ron, during the depression, to serving during World War II in the Pacific as an Army Air Corps Crew Chief for aircraft bombers. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah, he immediately was hired by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company where he worked until retirement as a head mechanical engineer. Bob's responsibilities included supervising major steel fabrication projects around the nation, such as municipal water storage tanks, and space chambers. Robert met his Dutch sweetheart, Sietske Sophia, and married in 1952, raising 4 children- his son, Jerry, and daughters, Jean, Janet, and Shirley. Passionate about his every undertaking, one of Bob's lifelong passions was motorcycles, whether it was putting them together or racing them, in particular, Indian motorcycles. He won many awards not only in hill climbs and racing, but also in boxing, in which he competed during the army, becoming the number two national contender. He also won championships in collegiate boxing, and boxed in the Golden Gloves where he fought up-and-coming professional, Gene Fulmer. Bob's drive to exceed showed in his awards for marksmanship and bowling, too. Bob shared his love for nature and history with family outings to ghost towns and old pioneer trails, along with his love for fishing, camping, golf, collecting, poetry, and big band music. He had the ability to fix almost everything. His Springer Spaniel dogs, Sears and Roebuck, became like family members. He is survived by his wife, children, nine grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren, and brother. Bob's legacy of unselfishness and caring, for being responsible and excellent at all you do, for being courageous and adventurous, being unconventional and having fun, yet always putting your family first, has helped define everyone who has known him, especially his family. He is greatly loved and admired, and we can never thank him enough for all he has done for us. We will always cherish him, and he will always live on in our hearts. Services are being held Saturday, Jan 12th, at 11:00, at the Murray Parkway Stake Center, 5750 South 619 West, Murray, UT. A viewing will be held an hour prior to services at the same location. Interment is at the Redwood Memorial Park, 6500 So. Redwood Rd., West Jordan. 801-969-3456. Heartfelt thanks goes out to all that cared and supported our family including Caregiver Support Network, Alta Ridge Alzheimer's Community, and CareSource Hospice.