Brian Keith Howell

Brian "Keith" Howell, of San Jose, California, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025, just weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He had marked his milestone 70th birthday two weeks prior to his passing.

Born in Walnut Creek, California, in 1955, Keith was the eldest of three children raised by Pebble June and Floyd David Howell. He graduated from Las Lomas High School and went on to attend Diablo Valley College and UC Santa Barbara. He took great pride in competing with the gymnastics team at both colleges and continued to carry his athleticism and commitment to good health throughout his life. Keith retired from IBM in February 2020, spending his days with a growing number of grandchildren, hiking and biking through the hills and trails of the South Bay, and taking leisurely walks around the neighborhood with his wife, Nita - with whom he shared memorable retirement adventures, both near and far.

Keith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from UCSB and pursued a position at IBM's Palo Alto branch office as a Program Support Representative shortly after graduating. Following in the footsteps of his father, he was a career IBMer, dedicating 41 years to the company as a software engineer. Most of those years were spent working in various capacities with the DB2 team, developing and supporting the product. While always humble about his professional impact, Keith was highly regarded for his knowledge and was a mentor to many of his colleagues.

Keith considered his childhood and upbringing idyllic - full of adventure, exploration, and the freedom to roam his neighborhood. His father instilled in him a lifelong desire to expand his knowledge and abilities. With Dave's guidance, he became skilled at tinkering, building, and fixing almost anything. He carried that expertise throughout his life, sharing it eagerly with his sons, Scott and Tim, as well as other close family members and friends. Keith was always diligent and thoughtful in his approach to any project. Whether it was a household task or a day on the ski slopes, he planned ahead and took pride in celebrating a job well done.

He met the love of his life, Nita, in 1976 during his first year at UC Santa Barbara and would have celebrated 50 years since that meeting next spring. Keith and Nita were married on May 17, 1980. They purchased their first home in Fremont, California, and eventually moved to San Jose, where they raised their two beloved boys. Keith was head over heels in love with Nita throughout their lives and considered her his better half. As they grew up together, they leaned into each other's strengths to build a beautiful life and close-knit family. Their strong partnership was regarded as a pillar of stability, support, love, and generosity to all who knew them. In the final weeks of Keith's life, both he and Nita were moved to learn of the profound influence they had on so many individuals and couples in their extended community - a true testament to the way they lived life together each and every day. In a letter he dictated for Nita while in the hospital, Keith said, "I just loved her, that's all I know."

Keith was a devoted and energetic father and grandfather. He was a sturdy, reliable presence in Tim and Scott's lives - even into their adulthood - and was always available to help with fix-it projects, offer advice on any topic, or simply lend a listening ear or an extra set of hands. He was immensely proud of his sons' personal and professional successes and the families they built.

His role as grandfather was no different. Embraced as both "Gampa" and "Baba" by his grandchildren, he was a rowdy, exuberant buddy to all three. Known as the "baby whisperer," he delighted in the snuggles and sweetness of their infanthood and met their growing abilities head-on as they entered their more adventurous years. Whether teaching them to ride bikes, acting as a human jungle gym, or indulging in a sweet treat to quench their shared sweet tooth, Keith and his grandkids were infatuated with one another from the very beginning. His grandchildren will deeply miss "Baba's silliness."

Some of the family's fondest memories were made at their cabin in Truckee, where Keith led the charge on hiking and biking in the summer and carved out thrilling sled runs in the backyard during the winter. He also loved the cozier times spent around the fire playing games, telling stories, and simply being together. He was the ultimate purveyor of smiles, laughter, and quality time with loved ones. Keith equally cherished the big events and the quieter moments of family life - a gift that will ensure his memory and presence live on in those moments forever.

Keith is survived by his wife, Nita; his two sons, Scott (Sarah) and Tim (Kelly); three grandchildren, Zoey, Riley, and Sophie; his sister, Becky (Bob); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Eric.

A memorial service will be held on November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Darling & Fischer Chapel in Los Gatos, with a reception to follow. Please contact a family member if you wish to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network)).