Robert M. Howe

Robert Myron Howe, 88, of Urbandale, beloved husband, father, and papa, passed away Friday, June 20, 2025 at his home with his family by his side.

He was born in Biddeford, Maine on August 3, 1936, son of Myron and Jeannette (Dauphinais) Howe.

Bob married the love of his life Judy (Slaymaker) Howe, on April 6, 1963 in Deep River, Iowa. They spent over 62 years loving and caring for each other, rarely leaving each other’s side and raised 3 children together.

Bob was a veteran, proud of his military service. He enlisted into the Army in August 1954 where he served for 8 years until he was honorably discharged. He was stationed at Fort Dix before he began his tour of duty overseas. Bob served his country in Okinawa, Japan assigned to the 75th RCT. He was then shipped out to Korea overlooking North Korea where he guarded the DMZ. Once stateside he was assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry at Fort Meade, Maryland. In 1958 the battalion was sent to Bamburg, Germany. He was assigned to Fox Company where he guarded and patrolled the border between West and East Germany. It was in Germany where he met his life-long friend Don Davis. He was a member of the Urbandale American Legion Post #663.

Bob retired from the Des Moines School District after serving for over 30 years, most recently working as the Building Engineer at East High School. In his retirement he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering in his garage. He would spend hours in his shop building adirondack chairs, birdhouses and feeders and any other special requests from his family to keep him busy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Donald, Raymond, Francais, Theresa, Sandra, Paul, Norman and Freddie.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Howe: three children Michael Howe, Michelle (Jeff) Curtis, Deborah (John) Vitko, eight grandchildren Kayla (Andrew) Butler, Austin Becthold, Tanner (Kelsey) Miller, Robert “Alex” (Natalie) Becthold, Shelbie (Steve) Curtis, Trevor (Lexi) Curtis, Ally Vitko, Ella Vitko and great-grandsons Cash and Max and great-granddaughter Miley. He was also survived by three siblings Pat Roberts, Nancy (Warren) Kindler, Donna Lasczak, brother and sister in-laws Nadean Wandling, Gerald (Kris) Slaymaker, Vernon (Jo) Slaymaker, Linda Njamfa, Jerry (Reta) Slaymaker, Steven (Kim) Slaymaker.

A visitation will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church (3600 75th St, Urbandale, IA 50322) on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery (34024 Veterans Memorial Dr, Adel, IA 50003)  on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Urbandale American Legion Post #663.