HOWARD KATZ

HOWARD KATZ Obituary

KATZ--Howard Victor. It is with the heaviest hearts and immense, seemingly unbearable grief that we mourn the tragic loss of Dr. Howard "Howie" Victor Katz, who was taken from this world all too soon at the age of 63 on July 29, 2025. Beloved husband to Wendy of 30 years, father to Sophia and Michael, brother to Lloyd, son to Elaine and Mel (z"l). Diagnosed with a neuroendocrine cancer almost two years ago, Howie faced what he called "our challenge" the same way he faced all others throughout his life -- with strength, humility, and fierce optimism. Howie had so much more wisdom, joy, and love to give but we will cling to all he did give us. From the thousands of patients he cared for throughout his four decades as an orthopedic surgeon to the countless individuals he shared beautiful interactions with -- however brief --wherever he found himself, Howie had a profound respect for every soul he encountered. Howie had a one-of-a-kind ability to make you feel seen, heard, appreciated, and respected. He gave true meaning to the Jewish term "Tikkun Olam," repair the world. Often called "Young Howard" or "YH" by his cherished friends, Howie was uncommonly playful, joyous, and young at heart. At the same time, he was an old soul in many ways: Howie had the kind of values, clarity of perspective, and wisdom that is so often lost in this world. Most of all, Howie leaves the biggest hole in the lives of his family, who loved him more than anything. He will be missed beyond words. To quote one of his all time favorites, "Big wheels roll through fields where sunlight streams. Oh meet me in a land of hope and dreams..." We're all blessed to be riding on this train with you, Dad... "this train... carries sweet souls departed." If you would like to donate in his honor, please consider contributing to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation at netrf.org. May Howie's memory be for a blessing.

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Published by New York Times on Aug. 20, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for HOWARD KATZ

5 Entries

Reuven Millman

Yesterday

My cousin Howie. Still can't believe this. There were a lot of musical references at your funeral and one thing I was thinking was I'm glad Neil Young never met you because if he had he would have never written the song about searching for a heart of gold. Because he would have found one within you and the world would have lacked a great song. Love you so much I'm going to miss you much- thank you for being a wonderful person and setting an example for how to treat people. Those of us that knew you were blessed to have you in their lives. You were not only a healer of physical bodies you were a salve for the soul. If every time somebody spoke they would first ask themselves how Howie would phrase it the world would be a much better place. Thank you cousin- we love you and miss you.

Janice Millman

Yesterday

I was honored and lucky to have been Howie's cousin. Howie dedicated his life to helping others. I am a better person, and the world is a better place because of Howie. He touched everyone. I will miss and love him forever. Janice

Janice Millman

Yesterday

I was honored and very lucky to have been Howie's cousin. I am a better person, and the world is a better place as a result of Howie being in it. He dedicated his life to helping others and did it with an abundance of love and compassion. Howie, I will love and miss you forever.

Charlie Anteby

August 21, 2025

This is truly awful and shocking news. It takes me back a very long time, to the late 1970's, when my relationship with Howie was defined by a specific dynamic. I was his older brother's very good friend before Lloyd was a lawyer or Howie was a doctor. No one would have ever been able to predict what the next 46 years would bring. Not the loss of my father, not the position I find myself in, or I see Lloyd in, and certainly not this tragic premature demise of Howie. I remember in those days shipping Howie boxes of walkman radios and cassette players, when that was the hot thing, and he would sell them in the cafeteria of his medical school in Michigan. I would send him 100 at a time, no charge, and he would sell them out in an hour for two grand, which was a small fortune in those days. It gave him pocket money while attending school. He ended up being an exemplary role model to Lloyd and I, even though we were the older guys. I feel broken to learn of this sad loss. My contact with Howie had been infrequent and intermittent over the last thirty years but I think we all always felt that the bond was close and permanent. My deepest condolences to his beautiful family and brother Lloyd.