Howard Joseph Shurdut

Howard Joseph Shurdut (1/11/1933 to 6/27/2024) was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother during his 91 years of life. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in the early hours of Thursday, June 27, 2024.

Howie was born on January 11, 1933, during a snowstorm at home on Commonwealth Avenue, Brighton, Massachusetts. He graduated from the Boston Latin School (1950) and Harvard University (1954), studying under then graduate student Henry Kissinger. In the Air Force, Howie graduated first in his Classification Specialist class at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois. After his time serving in Korea with the 58th Fighter Bomber Wing (Airman then 2nd Lieutenant), he received his MBA in International Business at Columbia Business School (1958). Howie went on to have a successful career with IBM in New York City, as one of its top salespeople for almost 30 years. In retirement, he ran a family business with his wife known as Jennifer's Gems Inc. and was a sought after public speaker on a wide range of topics from current events to geopolitics.

Howie was as much an athlete as he was a scholar, lettering in track and baseball at Boston Latin and Harvard. As one of the Air Force's star baseball players, he competed all over Asia when he was stationed in Korea.

More than anything else, Howie was a devoted family man. He was home for dinner every night and attended every one of his children's and grandchildren's concerts, performances and sporting events. He loved taking his family on vacations overseas as well as on road trips around the country.

Howie was a rare combination of brilliant and athletic, strong but gentle, positive and optimistic but realistic and measured. He always saw the glass 3/4 full, and he loved finding creative solutions to problems and bringing people and family together. Throughout his hard-fought battle with Parkinson's during the last three years of his life, he never lost that sparkle in his eyes or his warm smile. He was a teacher to all who knew him, imparting life lessons, providing advice and a unique perspective, engaging in conversations and debates, and always knowing just what to say to make everyone feel better about anything.

Howie leaves behind his beloved wife, Florence, with whom he recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary, children Jeffrey Shurdut and Jennifer Shurdut-Bab (Andrew), grandchildren Maya Bab and Maier Bab, sister Eleanor Ames and nieces, nephews, cousins, childhood friends and others who will sorely miss him. May his memory be for a blessing.