Charles Frederick "Rick" Howitt, II, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Tigard, Oregon, on November 12, 2025.
Rick was born March 13, 1952 in Seattle, Washington, to Charles Frederick Howitt and Charlotte Fish Howitt, and grew up in Reedsport and the neighboring Winchester Bay, Oregon. A generous man, he would give you anything you needed, help with any project, find a solution to any problem, and happily share a beer with you afterward. Whatever he started, he committed to 100%. An accomplished woodworker and cabinet maker, he created many fine pieces of furniture for friends and family.
He loved sailing, and he owned several sailboats over the years, even rebuilding one in his backyard. He and his wife, Pam, loved to entertain people at their home and always were fun and welcoming.
Rick and his sister, Christi, were very close through junior and senior high school, and shared many clandestine adventures. He started wrestling in 7th grade and continued throughout high school, even finishing 2nd in the state one year. He also participated in football, playing left guard offense and defensive tackle for all four years of high school. After graduating from Reedsport High School, he attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He then worked in San Francisco at Skelton Photography, doing executive portraits. When his father had a serious health issue in 1975, he returned to Oregon to be with his family.
After courting her for a year over after-work chocolate chip cookies and pints, he married Pamela Phillips in 1978. He and Pam were later blessed with three children.
After studying accounting, he began working for PERS as a clerk in 1982. By the time of his retirement in 2017, he was Manager of Financial Reporting.
After retirement, Rick and Pam enjoyed traveling, including 2 road trips across the United States, an Alaskan cruise, and numerous trips up and down the NW coast.
Rick was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October 2025. He returned home under hospice care and passed away less than a month later. He approached his diagnosis with his typical pragmatism: when the doctor told him the leukemia would likely do him in before the diabetes became a concern, he asked for an apple fritter.
Rick is survived by his wife of 47 years, Pamela, and children Sarah Vindell (Marco), Elizabeth "Betsy" Miller (Jon), Charles "Chuck" Howitt-Lease (Adam), and sister, Christi Howitt.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time.
Rick was born March 13, 1952 in Seattle, Washington, to Charles Frederick Howitt and Charlotte Fish Howitt, and grew up in Reedsport and the neighboring Winchester Bay, Oregon. A generous man, he would give you anything you needed, help with any project, find a solution to any problem, and happily share a beer with you afterward. Whatever he started, he committed to 100%. An accomplished woodworker and cabinet maker, he created many fine pieces of furniture for friends and family.
He loved sailing, and he owned several sailboats over the years, even rebuilding one in his backyard. He and his wife, Pam, loved to entertain people at their home and always were fun and welcoming.
Rick and his sister, Christi, were very close through junior and senior high school, and shared many clandestine adventures. He started wrestling in 7th grade and continued throughout high school, even finishing 2nd in the state one year. He also participated in football, playing left guard offense and defensive tackle for all four years of high school. After graduating from Reedsport High School, he attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He then worked in San Francisco at Skelton Photography, doing executive portraits. When his father had a serious health issue in 1975, he returned to Oregon to be with his family.
After courting her for a year over after-work chocolate chip cookies and pints, he married Pamela Phillips in 1978. He and Pam were later blessed with three children.
After studying accounting, he began working for PERS as a clerk in 1982. By the time of his retirement in 2017, he was Manager of Financial Reporting.
After retirement, Rick and Pam enjoyed traveling, including 2 road trips across the United States, an Alaskan cruise, and numerous trips up and down the NW coast.
Rick was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October 2025. He returned home under hospice care and passed away less than a month later. He approached his diagnosis with his typical pragmatism: when the doctor told him the leukemia would likely do him in before the diabetes became a concern, he asked for an apple fritter.
Rick is survived by his wife of 47 years, Pamela, and children Sarah Vindell (Marco), Elizabeth "Betsy" Miller (Jon), Charles "Chuck" Howitt-Lease (Adam), and sister, Christi Howitt.
A celebration of life will be held at a later time.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Frederick Howitt, please visit our flower store.
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