Edward Keith "Keith" Howell

1924 - 2018

Edward Keith Howell (Keith), 93, died peacefully Sunday, May 20, 2018 in Carolina Village, Hendersonville, North Carolina. Born August 13, 1924 in Asheville, NC, Keith was the son of Edward Newland Howell and Elizabeth Louise Babbitt Howell (Bessie). He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Lois Swaim Howell; by his daughter, Margaret Anne Howell; and by his stepdaughter Susan Abbott. He is survived by his loving wife, Catharine Elizabeth Middleton Howell (Kitty); by two children: daughter Lois Kathryn Howell (Kathryn) of Richmond, CA and son Edward Keith Howell, Jr. (Ted) of Tacoma, WA -- and Ted's wife April; by his grandson, Lucas Howell of Novato, CA; by Lucas' mother Antoinette Howell of Novato, CA; and by two step-daughters: Joan Durdan Montgomery of Hartford, CT and Judith Durdan of Trinity, FL. Keith grew up in North Carolina. He attended Swannanoa High School, attained the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow, served in the Air Force as a tail gunner during WW2, then earned his Electrical Engineering degree from NC State. He worked for General Electric for 40 years, earning over a hundred patents and receiving the Charles P. Steinmetz Medal for technological excellence and the Arthur M. Bueche Award. His work brought us the Triac semiconductor, and familiar parts of our daily lives such as daylight-sensitive streetlights, light dimmers, and the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt mechanism, to name but a few. In retirement, Keith served as adjunct professor of electronics at the University of Hartford, CT, and as an engineering consultant. Keith was accomplished as a musician -- both vocalist and tuba player, as an actor and lighting and sound technician in local theatre, and in the Scouts, serving as scoutmaster throughout much of his adulthood. He had a deep knowledge of his beloved Blue Ridge Mountains and took pride in intimately knowing their history and features. Per his wishes, his family will hold a private ceremony atop Black Balsam Knob later this summer. Keith will be greatly missed and always cherished for his zany wit, brilliance, and sense of adventure. He was a member of a list of professional and community organizations much too long to include here. Full details on his many memberships and personal and professional accomplishments not found here can be found at http://www.shulerfuneralhome.com/obituary/ A Celebration of Keith's Life will be held June 21 at 2 PM in the Village Hall at Carolina Village. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity or cause of your choice.