Ralph E. Howitt

RALPH E. HOWITT Passed away in Redwood City on December 29, 2001. He was the loved and loving husband of Annette, wonderful father and father-in-law to Bill and Kay, Carol and Thom, David and Audrey. He was the gentle and fun-loving "Papa" to Joshua, Sarah, Morgan, Anna, Amanda and Katrina and great grandfather to Alison. Ralph was born on July 27, 1918 in the small village of Conesus, NY. Ralph was pre-deceased by his parents Dorr and Helen Howitt, and by his brother Walt and sister Sara. He is survived by his younger sister Laura and her husband Mil and many cousins, nieces and nephews. After graduation from Geneseo State Teachers College in New York, Ralph taught for three years before being drafted into the Army in July 1941. While studying engineering at Santa Clara University, through an Army program, he met his wife, Annette, and they were married on January 22, 1944. Ralph saw active service in the European theater under Generals Patton and Montgomery with the 187th Combat Engineers. He served with distinction earning the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. While in Europe Ralph learned of the birth of his son Bill in the army newspaper Stars and Stripes! Following the war Ralph taught for another year in New York State and then in September of 1946 drove his young family to California to enroll in the Master's program at Standford University. Upon completion of his Masters in Education Administration, he taught for the San Carlos School District for two years, and then became the much beloved principal of Brittan Acres and Tierra Linda schools until his retirement in 1980. He served on the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Commission for 16 years,on the Board of Casa de Redwood, and was an active member of the San Carlos Community Church and the First Congregational Church in Redwood City. In 1981, Stanford University and Ralph connected again. His second career, as a half-time Quality Control Supervisor, spanned another 15 years. He retired again in 1996. Ralph loved all music but specially big band swing. During college he played the piano in a big band and performed in operettas and many choir concerts. Later, with Annette, they sang for many years in church choirs and instilled their love of music in their children and grandchildren. Ralph and Annette loved travel and good family times. The values, goodness, love of people, and humor which he learned as a youth stayed with him all his life. Always active in serving his church and the community, he was a much loved and loving husband, father, "papa" and friend. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. His was life well lived. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 20th, at the First Congregational Church, 2323 Euclid Avenue, Redwood City, at 3 p.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the Music Fund at the First Congregational Church, or to the Sequoia Hospital Foundation. 170 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City, 94062. REDWOOD CHAPEL 847 Woodside Rd. Redwood City, CA (650) 369-5537