Howard Hollis Hinkel passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025, after a short battle with brain cancer. Howard was born on September 25, 1941, in Port Huron, MI, and grew up in Rochester, MI, where he excelled in high school sports-football, baseball, and basketball.
Howard is remembered by all who knew him as a kind soul who saw the beauty in everyone and everything. With a wry, gentle sense of humor and an inviting smile, he had a way of making everyone feel at ease. He was a true Renaissance man, known not only as a teacher and mentor but also as a youth sports coach, a fellow shade-tree mechanic (with a particular fondness for his MGB GT and 1940s Ford pickup), a fly fisherman, and a passionate musician.
He graduated with honors from both Oakland University and Tulane University. During his time at Tulane, he met his future wife, Gail Miller Hinkel. Howard was a devoted and loving husband, and together they were blessed with two children, Alyssa Hinkel Groner (Randy) and Myles Hinkel (Lora), and four grandchildren: Blake Hinkel, Erica Tauber, Jackson Hinkel, and Ella Tauber. He is also survived by his sister Sharon Hartlein (Robert), his brother-in-law Richard Lipsey, his sister-in-law Lynda Southwick (Lloyd) and several nieces and nephews. Howard was a devoted family man in every sense. He was predeceased by his parents, Hollis and Adele Hinkel, and his younger sister Lynne Hinkel Lipsey.
Howard spent his entire career as an English professor at the University of Missouri, where he also served as department chair for several years. His passion for English poetry inspired him to travel to England, where he visited the homes of his favorite poets.
A dedicated birdwatcher, Howard was an active member of the Audubon Society. He also had a lifelong love for music, having attended The National Music Camp at Interlochen, MI for several summers, where he excelled on the trumpet. He continued to play his trumpet throughout his life, even performing with the Columbia Community Band. We will miss Howard dearly, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we will be reunited with him, and that day will last forever.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Episcopal Church, 123 S 9th St #4815, Columbia, MO 65201.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to one of the following:
• Columbia Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1331
Columbia, MO 65205
Online at https://www.columbia-audubon.org/donate/
• The Thompson Foundation for Autism & Neurodevelopment
205 Portland Street
Columbia, MO 65201
Online at https://thompsonfoundation.org/donate/
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service & Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, MO 65203 (573) 449-4153. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com
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