Robert Howard

Robert N. "Bob" Howard, 81, of Gas City, passed away at 3:55 a.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne. He was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, on Wednesday, December 6, 1944, to Samuel and Grace (Donovan) Howard.
Bob and his family moved from Chicago to Hammond in 1953. He attended St. Casimir Grade School in Hammond, IN and graduated from Hammond Technical Vocational High School.
He was drafted into the United States Army on September 23, 1966, and served until September 5, 1968. Bob was a proud member of the 101st Airborne Division and spent 1967-1968 in Vietnam. For his service in Vietnam he received the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam campaign medal.
In his early years, Bob served as a Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes. Throughout his life, he held a wide variety of jobs, including work at University Printing in Chicago, Container Corporation in Griffith, and for a Steel Mill in East Chicago, Indiana. He also spent a brief period living in California, where he worked many jobs as a cook. Before moving to Marion, Bob was a delivery driver for a pizza restaurant in Hammond, Indiana.
Bob loved watching all the sports teams. He was a devoted fan of the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts. He enjoyed his time living at Twin City Healthcare in Gas City, especially attending concerts in the park, playing Bingo, and going on monthly shopping trips with the staff. He loved music, especially Rock and Roll from the 1960s and music from Motown.
Survivors include his sister, Mary (Paul) Hess of Schererville, Indiana, along with several nieces and nephews, Jeffrey Howard, Kellie Collins, Ryan Howard, Diana Hess, Shannon Hess Mohamed, David Hess; sister-in-law, Sylvia Howard; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Grace (Donovan) Howard, and his brother, William J. Howard.
A graveside service will be held at a later date at Marion National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Holy Family Catholic Church, 325 E North A St, Gas City, IN 46933 or Disabled American Vets (DAV), Minton-Capehart Federal Building, 575 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.