Howard W. Windham

1941 - 2025

Warren|Designer, educator, and artist Howard Windham died peacefully at his home in Warren, Rhode Island, on April 2, 2025. He was 83.

Howard William Windham was born in Manhattan in 1941 and grew up on Long Island before finding his way to the Rhode Island School of Design. Upon his graduation in 1963, he joined his mentor, Alexander Nesbitt, at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and completed his master's degree; he became a tenured professor there and taught Graphic Design for many years. Howard was the recipient of many awards and honors, including a Fulbright Teaching Grant in England. In the early 2000s, he traveled to Cuba for a cultural exchange, and the trip had a deep impact on him.

After his retirement in 2007, the family moved from Providence to Warren, Rhode Island. He became a member of the Imago Foundation for the Arts in Warren and was invited to teach his History of Design course at Bridgewater State University. He loved his Warren studio and art community, and his artwork became multi-dimensional, with new works in collage, sculpture, and drawing appearing at breakneck speed. A student of Cubism, Constructivism, and the Bauhaus, his work was defined by a balance of precision and playfulness. His brilliance made him quiet and observant, often plotting a great line to bring the house down.

An avid reader and cat lover, Howard favored single malt Scotch, dark chocolate, movies with popcorn, adventurous travel, Bob Dylan, word games, and his family. A devoted Red Sox fan, he created intricate pointillist drawings while watching the games. He loved children and was known in his family as the Baby Whisperer; his deep voice lulled many fussy babies to sleep over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his four children Corey (Sarah), Ryder (Anne), Brett (George), and Colin (Tammy), and seven grandchildren Dorothy, Violet, Paige, Gordon, Wolf, Forrest, and Orion. He will be missed terribly.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Imago Foundation for the Arts, 36 Market Street, Warren, Rhode Island, 02885.

Arrangements are with Family's Choice Cremation, 8 Schoolhouse Rd. Warren, RI 02885.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Bristol Art Museum, located at 10 Wardwell Street, Bristol, RI, 02809, on Saturday, May 10th, from 2 to 4 pm. All are welcome.