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Howard L. Seemann

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University of Minnesota University of Wisconsin

Howard Seemann Obituary

Howard L. Seemann

Howard L. Seemann, adviser to Humboldt State University’s student newspaper, The Lumberjack, for 28 years, died Monday at his home in Eureka. He was 73. Cause of death was a heart attack.

Seemann joined the HSU journalism faculty in 1969. He retired in 1998. He was chosen Outstanding Journalism Educator in four-year colleges by the California Newspaper Publishers Association in 1983, Distinguished Newspaper Adviser by College Media Advisers Inc. in 1986 and a Poynter Institute for Media Studies Fellow in June 1987.

Survivors include his wife, Ann; his sons, Hank of Eureka, and Luke of Chicago; his daughters, Danae Seemann-Peppas and Aliki Seemann-Daglas, both of Aegina, Greece; his sister, Gaye Hilson of Grand Haven, MI; and grandchildren, Lia, Margarita, Nicholas, Dimitra and Malcolm.

The son of Howard C. and Alice G. Seemann was born in Huron, S.D., October 13, 1932. He considered Minneapolis his home before coming to California in 1969.

Financially unable to attend college after graduation from high school in 1950, he joined the Air Force in January 1951. After discharge, and with the G.I. Bill in hand, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism.

As an undergraduate, he was photographer, photo editor, reporter and editor of The Minnesota Daily, the student newspaper.

After working at the Chicago Daily Defender and daily newspapers in Rome, Italy, Royal Oak, MI, Milwaukee and Madison, WI, he received his master’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin in 1969. From March 1991 until October 2002 he was the copyeditor at the North Coast Journal.

He met his wife Ann while in graduate school in Madison. They married and moved to Eureka in 1969.

Howard was a Humphrey Democrat, a defender of the First Amendment and an old-school newspaperman. He held his students to exacting standards on grammar, punctuation and spelling and was notorious for his hard line on factual errors. His tough love was intended to prepare students for the world outside the classroom and challenge them to discover their full potential. He always tried to balance criticism with encouragement in Howard’s Homilies, his weekly critique of The Lumberjack. Students prized his hard-earned words of praise, and he was proud of them, many of whom went on to thrive in the newsroom.

For over 30 years he shared jokes and camaraderie with a poker group on the first Friday night of every month. More recently he enjoyed surfing the Internet on his Macintosh computer and exchanging e-mails with family, friends and journalism alums.

A memorial service will be held in the Green and Gold Room (Founders Hall) at Humboldt State University on Saturday, April 8, at 3:00 p.m. Copies of The Associated Press Stylebook will be available. Women are encouraged to wear one earring.

Cremation is planned.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Humboldt State University, Gift Processing Center, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521-8299. Contributions should be made out to Humboldt State University and reference the Howard Seemann Lumberjack Scholarship.

Arrangements are under the care of Chapel of the Ferns Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka, California.

Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com, click on obituaries.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times-Standard on Apr. 6, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Howard Seemann

Sponsored by your beloved journalism students.

53 Entries

Robin Grimm (Walsh)

May 25, 2007

Still thinking of you and everything you taught me, Howard. My years at HSU wouldn't have been the same without you. May God's light shine upon you and your family always.

Norman Larson

December 19, 2006

I was saddened today to learn from a friend, also a U of Minn. J-School grad and Minnesota Daily alum, of Howie's death. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

Kathy Nixon, Librarian

September 27, 2006

[Editor: This is my offering if you wish to use]

Caution, cliques ahead. HSU Journalism department has lost a legend—a principled teacher, kind mentor and gracious leader in the field of First Amendment rights.

Though never a strong enough writer to work in the journalism field, what I learned in his classes I use in the rest of my life: whether writing simple book reviews or creating a library program flyers, I draw upon his many journalism lessons: accuracy, clean copy and visual appeal. And most of all: Double-check names and facts for accuracy.

Not long ago I found myself repeating to a colleague the "mouse in your pocket" reference--when someone used the "we" term in idle conversation. Or recalling his great love for Minnesota, “God’s Country” I believe is what he said. It was only later that someone told me he probably was too gracious to finish the phrase that many transplanted Minnesotans use: God’s Country—because only God could survive the mosquitoes, black flies and freezing weather.

No teacher inspired more journalism students or maintained more exacting standards. His Beginning Reporting, Copy Editing and Lumberjack roundtable critiques were crammed with solid learning examples yet softened by his lighthearted jokes. I learned much from him. Howard: an inspiring teacher, demanding journalist and a quality joke-teller. He will be missed.

Class of 1989

Karen (Lynd) McLaughlin

September 15, 2006

I feel so sad today, having just learned of Howard's passing. I can't believe it's been more than 24 years since I graduated from Humboldt, left behind Howard, the Lumberjack, and so many great memories. Like many of you who have written in this guest book, Howard left a lasting impression on me as well. I teach a writing course to coworkers and carry so much of his lessons with me. "That" truly is a four-letter word. And I have FINALLY taught folks here the difference between half-staff and half-mast. The comments shared with other ladies about the one earring made me laugh out loud. I had forgotten that one. To Ann and the rest of Howard's family, thank you for sharing Howard with all of us. His intelligence, compassion and friendship will remain with so many of us for the rest of our lives.

Beverly Freeman Weber

May 9, 2006

I haven't seen Howard for years. I married, moved away, and last saw him in 1995. Oddly enough, I mentioned him to my current boss just the other day. My boss flips out when he has to write a difficult letter, so he turns to me for editing and "word-smithing". When he asked me how I learned to be so good at editing, I had one answer: Howard. I wear my class ring from HSU, the one with the Journalism scroll on the side, with pride in my love of writing because of...Howard. I may not be working in the field of journalism now, but each day I find myself using something he taught me.

Bless you, Howard. I love you...

gaye hilson

April 27, 2006

my dearest big brother, i will miss you and love you dearly, gaye

Jeff Rose (aka Jeff Nelson-Rose) Class of '81

April 25, 2006

Howard was, to me, both the original and the last of the ink-stained wretches. He smoked. He drank. He cussed. He wasn’t afraid to get into a little trouble.

On a trip to a California Newspaper Publishers Association meeting in Stockton, he taught me the art of the very dry martini. Unpacking in his hotel room, the first thing he whipped out was a traveling wet bar, complete with shaker.

“You open the vermouth and wave it over the top of the glass a few times,” he said. Straight gin with an olive. Straight Howard.

He loved life, and what better way to enjoy it than the craft of the chronicle. It’s his fault I’m still in this business, still underpaid and underappreciated, cussing and whining about the decline of newspapers and written journalism.

It seems puzzling that someone who obviously loved words so much, who lived for the well-written story, would devote the second half of his life to working with bonehead, self-important amateurs who could only show potential, not perfection. Beethoven teaching high-school orchestra.

He wielded his red pen judiciously, not like another professor I had who bled red ink and whose favorite phrase in the story margin was, “Jeff, NO!…” Howard encouraged, but who could escape at least an occasional “C” for a fact error or even an “F” for a misspelled name?

I swore he must have come up with that extra “n” at the end of his name to drive the point home: Be careful with names. The lessons stuck. How many times have I wanted to return a resume or a cover letter with a “C” or an “F,” circling the fact error or the name misspelled with an imaginary red pen!

When he made story assignments in class someone inevitably would ask, “How long should it be?”

“How long is a piece of string?” he replied. “Until you get to the end.”

As I remember -- and much of what I remember may be wrong, it’s been half a lifetime -- it was his imperfect heart that put him in the classroom in the first place. He’d had a heart attack and felt he was mistreated at the newspaper where he worked. Whatever he might have accomplished in the newspaper world, I’m grateful for that career change.

Howard’s office was in the basement of Bret Harte House, near a real live clacking UPI teletype. His death is four bells, followed by uncounted write-thrus keeping me up late as I remember different bits from 25 years ago.

From what I know Howard led a fuller life than I’ll ever hope to accomplish. In that light maybe 73 isn’t too short a lifetime? How long is a piece of string?

Mitch Waldow

April 15, 2006

Howard recruited me onto the Lumberjack staff as ad manager, and then talked me into taking his class. So it's really his fault that I've been in this field for 30 years. How many times have I worked on a story and wondered how Howard might have approached it? Too often to count. He was my first journalism teacher, and he left a deep impression.

Besides being a wonderful teacher, Howard was a true ethicist. It's sad that so many journalists now are under fire for ethics "lapses." Yet thanks to Howard, I don't think you'll ever find a Humboldt grad among that group. We're all better off for knowing him.

Patty Livingston

April 15, 2006

Howard and I were friends since we were puppies. He was a fun person and everyone liked him. There are many wonderful adjectives to describe him, but I remember his humor and wit. He will be missed and remembered.

Eric Oyster '71

April 14, 2006

I would echo Mike Stockstill's impressions of Howard.

As "children of the 60's", we were both blessed and cursed with enough news material to challenge students and faculty for several years. Howard forced us to sift through tremendous "noise" in search of the most objective analysis feasible.

In addition, Howard was one of the most truly personable and enjoyable faculty with whom I've had the pleasure of learning and teaching. His sense of humor and dry wit were remarkable. One of these days, I just may install a dentist chair and bottle of gin, resting on the instrument tray, to greet me as I enter my domain.

Thank you, Howard, for the memory of your remarkable spirit.

Kim Cabrera

April 14, 2006

My thougths and prayers are with the family. I will always remember Howard's advice and his teaching style. He truly was unique and inspirational. I learned a lot from him and can see that he had a great impact on all his students. He will be missed.

Mike Stockstill

April 13, 2006

Howard embodied the power of a single teacher's ability to shape a student or group of students in a way that can change a place, a state, and perhaps the world.

He cared fiercely about the role of the press and instilling that attitude into student journalists. Howard's news philosophy reflected the familiar quote that the job of the journalist was to print the news and raise Hell.

I was privileged to share a glass of gin (well, maybe more than one) with him the night Luke was born. He loved life, lived it, and inspired hundreds of young people. What more can a man ask?

Howard, you were a mentor, a teacher, a friend. I cherish the time we had together.

Johnnie Miller-Cleaves

April 11, 2006

Luke,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Robin Holabird

April 11, 2006

Howard loved to joke and laugh, but he could seriously stand up for what he believed and taught, as a group of us discovered in the mid-seventies after putting out a publication that offended local authorities. Howard could have put it all off on the immaturity of university students, but instead put himself at risk by insisting we were only following what we learned from him about freedom of speech. As a result, we got an equally significant lesson about the importance of responsibility.

Robin Holabird, '76

Leslie Weiss

April 11, 2006

Howard had more impact on me than any other teachers at HSU. I will never forget his tough-love style in the classroom and as Lumberjack adviser. The high standard I hold for myself has its roots in what I learned from Howard (not to mention my sometimes weird humor). I will miss him.

Troy Heie

April 11, 2006

The simple lede ...

Howard.

Chris Crescibene

April 11, 2006

Howard,

You are missed. Your unique, (I use that word at my peril, knowing your distaste for it) thunderous laugh, horrendous jokes, and incredible passion for newspapers, teaching and the First Amendment are missed. To me, you were the heart and soul of the HSU Journalism Department, not withstanding the many outstanding contributions from your colleagues. You were the heart and soul of The Lumberjack, too, although you kept scrupulously to your role as adviser. Your vision in embracing technology gave HSU grads an advantage when coping in the “real world.” It’s been nearly 23 years since I graduated, but I still feel your presence. You left an indelible mark on my career and my life, and I thank you for it.

Gwen Neu

April 10, 2006

Hey Howard,

I have waited days for words to materialize; writer's block plagues my thoughts. Grief may be the real culprit.

As a lost college student, one searching for a degree, I couldn't have had a better advisor. Your advice was both scholarly and fatherly and always laced with booming laughter.

Even though I know you were disappointed that after graduation I chose a path other than journalism, I know that you were never disappointed in me. You celebrated my joys, and your shoulder absorbed my tears of sorrow.

Although I feel immense sadness at your parting, I know that you live on through all you touched. Even my daughter is currently experiencing your influence through her high school journalism teacher, Philip Middlemiss.

I am eternally grateful for your high standards, wacky sense of humor and sincere guidance.

I will never forget you.

Gwen Neu, Class of '84

Lee B

April 10, 2006

I do not know Howard, nor his son Luke, but Luke's writings move me ... thus I was led here. I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for taking the time to write as your words, Luke, I'm sure much like your father's, inspire.

Ellen Carlson

April 10, 2006

Howard's journalism class made a "strong" impression on me and not just because I sat next to a woman who enjoyed snacking on raw garlic. He was the most encouraging, supportive teacher I ever had and bravely did his best to teach me to write.

Ann Marie Thompson Meadowbrook

April 9, 2006

Even though Howard and I often had differences of opinion during my last years at HSU, I must thank him for a heart-to-heart conversation in 1973 inside The Lumberjack office where I was news editor: It played a significant role in my letting go of hair-brained plans to leave HSU for hitch-around-the-country travels with a fellow student I barely knew. Instead I graduated and married irreverent j-grad Paul Boothby Meadowbrook, and we've been together 32 years this week. So thanks for that Howard: It was good advice.

Mike Goldsby (Class of 75)

April 9, 2006

I am so sorry to you, Howard's family, for your loss. Howard was such an influential peron during my education. Even though I was educated in Journalism before word processors, video, personal computers and the Internet, I received a relevant and meaningful education in large part due to Howard.

He would not see me for years, then inquire about my life in a way that made me special. He followed my career, chiding me that I strayed from Journalism. Positive feedback from Howard meant so much, because you had to really earn it and it was always specific. I miss him.

maclyn McClary

April 9, 2006

Howard was a great friend, teacher, journalist and colleague. His contributions to building the journalism dept. at HSU are huge. He was my friend for more than 35 years and I will miss him greatly.

Arnie Braafladt

April 9, 2006

I met Howard while I was Student Body President at HSU in 1971-1972. The Lumberjack gave me such a tough time that year I was considering becoming a journalism major -- and with considerable encouragement from Howard, I began taking journalism classes. I got to know Howard better during the year and a half I spent as a Lumberjack reporter, and in 1974 I graduated with a double major in political science and journalism.

Over the years after graduation, I often would stop by to visit with Howard at his home in Eureka. He was a great friend.

While I was clerking for the Washington Supreme Court in Olympia, Howard sent me a copy of the notorious Gilstrap Opinion from the Chancellor's Office -- which stated that political candidate endorsements had to be personally signed by student editors and could not be made in the name of the newspaper. I told Howard I did not believe the opinion was legally sound -- and agreed with his position that the restrictions violated the First Amendment.

Later, while practicing law in Eureka in 1984, I filed suit against the trustees and various campus administrators on behalf of Adam Truitt and The Lumberjack -- in a challenge to the endorsement restrictions. I named Howard as a defendant because he suspended Truitt.

Howard was a terrific defendant -- because he so clearly was on our side! He told the New York Times, "I happen to agree with what Adam did." An April 26, 1985 letter to Howard from the California Attorney General's Office (that he shared with me after the case ended successfully in 1987) states "this office was required to evaluate our ability to represent you in [light] of your active support of the plaintiffs' cause."

At Howard's November 13, 1985 deposition, Lawrence Gumbiner of the Californnia Attorney General's Office said he wanted to treat Howard "as a friendly witness [not subject to leading questions by me, as plaintiffs' counsel] . . . based on the fact that although a defendannt, Mr. Seemann is actually philosophically aligned with the plaintiffs . . ."

Gumbiner's questioning of Howard later in the deposition was as follows:

Q: "Mr. Seemann, do you agree with plaintiff's position that Title Five . . . as interpreted by the Trustees violates the First Amendment?"

A: "Yes"

Q: "Have you assisted plaintiffs in raising money for this action?"

A: "Yes."

Q: "Would you like to see plaintiffs succeed in this action?"

A: "You bet."

So Howard, my friend, teacher and mentor, you'll always be my favorite defendant.

philip middlemiss

April 9, 2006

Howard was always there when I desperately needed advice regarding the students’ rights and the extreme reaction their articles often incurred from the administration and local business owners. As the adviser to Eureka High’s Redwood Bark newspaper, I learned from Howard the importance of knowing the First Amendment better than my administrators, and the transience of the written word.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, “it’s fish wrap tomorrow.”

At the end of one of our many conversations, Howard informed me that I was going to get his youngest son in my newspaper class. He said he’d been trying to make the kid into a newspaper man for the last 10 years without any luck, and he was surprised when he discovered Luke had signed up for the class.

When Luke graduated from Eureka High, Howard sent me a letter thanking me for achieving where he had failed. And though I refer to Luke as being one of my success stories – a working journalist, I know my influence was minimal. Luke writes and reports because his family instilled in him a discipline for observation and a fascination for this delicate thing called life. Howard made his newspaper man, and I regret having never sent him a letter congratulating him his success.

Philip Middlemiss

April 8, 2006

Michael Harmon

April 8, 2006

Howard always had a way with his students and he made and impact on all who took his classes. He is surely missed by all who knew him.

Bob Drews

April 8, 2006

I never had the pleasure of meeting Howard, but I did have the good fortune to work with his son Luke at the Mercury News in San Jose, California, for a time. We remain in touch via e-mail. Luke liked talking about his dad, and reading Howard's obituaries certainly shows why. Let me add one more tribute to Howard: He raised a good son. I am lucky to call Luke a friend.

Bonnie Julien

April 8, 2006

Howard was the quintessential college professor. I was a member of his first class at HSU and will never forget his professionalism and the fun that he brought to his classes. After my graduation we shared Marshall School experiences with our kids. Howard & I send our sincere sympathies to Ann, Hank and Luke. Every time I check my earrings I will think of Howard and smile.

Bonnie and Howard Julien (class of '71)

Sean Kearns

April 8, 2006

Wow. Where’s the lede?

Howard, you graced this world with your integrity, standards, loyalty, caring.

I can picture you standing at the pearly gates saying to St. Peter, "So, this angel walks into a bar…"

When I told an old friend – my first roommate, another J-student – of your passing, he reminded me of a 30-year-old story: He was low on funds and couldn’t find a job; you heard about it and hired him to paint your house. And when you realized by his work that he’d likely never painted a house before, you got up on another ladder and, without expressing judgment, quietly established some standards and began to assist him. Quintessential Howard: Tune your radar to those in need. Provide opportunity. Encourage. Do and teach.

I was blessed to stay around Humboldt after graduating and get to know you over another 25 years – as a dear friend, as a confidante, as a card player, as a mentor. We shared our thoughts of parenting and being parented, of loving and being loved, of confidence and insecurity, of new books about old tmes, of the promise of emerging technologies and the lament of declining standards.

Throughout you left no doubt about your pride in and love for each of your children and your wife. You never stopped embracing innovation, yet never lost your love for meaningful tradition. There were good jokes and bad jokes, clean jokes and dirty jokes, practical jokes and once-practical jokes made impractical by repetition. (I’ve never known another laugh like yours: packed with enough powder to pierce a steel wall, and its burst could be triggered by the thinnest trip-wire of a joke.)

Sadly, having moved from Humboldt a month ago, after all that, I won’t be able to make it to your memorial. My last visit with you was at my going-away reception at HSU. I told you then, and I’ll tell you again: Thanks for the lessons and the friendship, not only for all you had to say, but also for all you had to listen to. I will dearly miss how you communicated, especially with your eyes. Heaven will find you mighty fine company. And if it is truly Heaven, they will laugh at your jokes.

To your family: May the love of friends, your love for each other, and the love given you by Howard carry you, in time, beyond your sorrow and grief.

Bill Israel

April 8, 2006

For Howard; and for Ann, Hank and
Luke, Danae and Aliki –

I slept badly Wednesday after learning of Howard’s passing and awoke at 4:30 a.m., certain I heard spirits chatter him an orientation and not let him insert a word!

How I loved running into him sneaking a smoke before Bret Harte House, passing the latest joke, the latest wrinkle in his students’ performance, his latest scheme to get them technical resources. Howard taught me to be a good teacher: to set high standards and push students to perform, encourage them to risk testing the First Amendment –

and support them with a laugh if they failed.

His example came with me; students now gripe about me just as they griped about him – until they come back to say thank you for caring, as they do here, in this space, now.

Because I can’t attend the memorial, I want to encourage anyone who goes to try one of my favorite spots on the Humboldt campus – a small circle of redwoods below the gymnasium complex, just above wildlife management. Try the bench there, look up into the trees, then down at the plaque that speaks of Howard: “He lives on, in people made better because he lived. And so to live is not to die.”

Farewell, my friend. Farewell, my friend. Big hugs to
you, Ann, Hank and Luke. Danae and
Aliki.

Love,

Bill

Jackson Garland

April 7, 2006

I joined The Lumberjack during my second semester at HSU and remained on staff for the rest of my time there (even after changing majors and going down the path to becoming a teacher). I always had a great time with Howard, enjoyed his humor and valued his criticism, encouragement and support. He seemed to feel like an uncle and a friend at the same time. I always remember how his laugh sounded in the halls of Nelson Hall East and I remember feeling a sense of relief when the first story I wrote for The LJ got some positive press in the Homilies. And of course the dinners he and Ann would host each semester at their home for the editorial board were great.

Howard and I kept in touch after I graduated and went off to become a teacher. Living abroad now, I always enjoyed being able to go back to Humboldt during trips home and have lunch with Howard. He always said one of the greatest things about teaching is when former students stay in touch. When I advised a student high school newspaper, Howard gave great advice and I found myself doing many things I'd learned from my LJ editor days.

Howard always had a great sense of energy about him, whether it was about a passion for journalism, the latest new development in Adobe Pagemaker or a new joke. My thoughts are with Ann and their family. I'll miss you Howard...

Jackson Garland, Class of '97

drew schultz {class of 1994}

April 7, 2006

What sad news to hear of the passing of Howard Seemann, a great newspaperman. Howard taught me to fear dangling participles and not to fear telling the truth. We'll all miss you and your red pen.

- drew

Andrew Jones

April 7, 2006

Howard was excruciatingly honest. We loved and hated him for it, but eventually we missed such honesty... and that it could be accompanied with a wink and a pat on the back.

Kathleen McCutcheon (Carvalho)

April 7, 2006

Dear Ann and family,

I, like everyone, was stunned to hear of Howard's sudden death. He was such a larger than life character that it's hard to realize he too was subject to the frailties of life.

I met Howard on my first day of work in August of 1984 as the Department Secretary in Journalism. He was telling me about himself and mentioned he had two sons and two daughters. In relation to his sons I said, "Which one is the oldest?" He said, "Neither. I only have two. One is older than the other. It would only be oldest if I had three or more." With that first lesson, I quickly learned he was someone who was going to challenge me and teach me for the next 10 years and that he did.

I truly credit Howard with helping me learn to write. I looked forward every week to his homilies to see if I caught the same mistakes he did. I remember one time we laughed so hard because one of the students had written an article that contained a reference to Edie Gourmet rather than the correct spelling of Eydie Gorme (in this case we decided the student was just too young to know her). I didn't always understand First Amendment issues and he would patiently try to explain them to me (although we didn't always agree). However, I learned, I learned.

Howard loved print journalism and he loved teaching it to his students. He had that gruff exterior that could be intimidating but he had such a tender side too. He was always so happy to hear from the alumni and so many would call him when they got a new job or had some other news to share. He celebrated their successes with such joy! Howard also loved the Journalism Banquet. He would ask which alumni were coming and was always so pleased to see them. Of course, who can forget his famous banquet skits! Howard was also so impressed with the generosity of the alumni in contributing to the scholarship funds when many of them were on limited budgets themselves as new journalists.

In a book Howard once gave me he wrote that I was "the heart and conscience of the department." If that was true, it's only because I learned it from him. He loved journalism and the students and he taught them to be honest and to strive for excellence.

I am sorry that I cannot be there on Saturday but I will certainly wear one earring in memory of Howard. Ann and family, I hope your memories of Howard and the memories of those who loved him will give you comfort at this most difficult time.

Joseph Farruggia

April 7, 2006

Caro Fratello Howard:

We will miss your humor, our luncheons in Trinidad, and our comradeship. God Bless You.

Joe and Joyce

Laura Dominick, Class of '81

April 7, 2006

Howard,

You helped us see why journalism is so important, then you gave us the confidence to go out and do it right. You told us how to make spaghetti carbonara. Like so many other people, I consider myself blessed to have had you as a teacher and friend. Thank you for caring so much about us.

Matt Furr

April 7, 2006

He was my uncle. I will miss his wit and transparent pursuit of the truth of life. He is a gift to my family. Godspeed, Uncle Howie.

Mikki (Hyland) McIntyre -Class of '81-

April 6, 2006

To all of us HSU Journ-alums, Howard symbolized unwavering commmitment to the art and craft of journalisic excellence. With red editing pencil in hand, he held us each to the highest standards of accuracy and accountability. His hope, I'm sure, was for us to arm ourselves with those very standards (along with our trusty AP Stylebook and Elements of Style) as we ventured out on our own journalistic paths.

Although I never mistook Howard for God (the Almighty must have better jokes), I must say that on more than one occasion over the years, I have solved various journalistic dilemmas by asking myself the question, "W.W.H.D.?" (What Would Howard Do?)

Thanks Howard, for being that unrelenting voice in the back of my head that is always championing excellence.

And thanks too, for your role in bringing one of the dearest friends I've ever known ~ your daughter, Danae ~ into this world and into my life.

I am forever grateful for these gifts.

To Ann, Danae, Aliki, Luke, Hank and families, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

John Baker (HSU class of 98)

April 6, 2006

Howard, corny jokes and all, was a true professional and true educator. He helped me learn how to turn the disconnected words and phrases I heard in class into real-world stories and layouts, turning me from a mere student into a pro. I am truly proud to have been a Lumberjack editor during his last semester as an adviser.

John Diaz

April 6, 2006

I don't know where to begin with my gratitude for what Howard meant to me and my (now nearly 30-year) career in journalism. So I'll start with the first writing class I took at HSU: Beginning reporting, with Howard. He gave me an "F" on the final. I misspelled a name. I never lost that lesson, nor did I forget his look of pain as he broke the news to me. Howard had the perfect blend of devotion to standards and love for his students. His enthusiam for newspapering and absolute dedication to the traits required to make it a special calling -- accuracy, ethics, fearlessness -- inspired me to this path. It sure beats working for a living. Thank you, Howard.

James Christian (Class of 75)

April 6, 2006

There have been very few people in my life who I have found to be truly unique. Howard was an inspiration to everyone he met, and a true friend to me during an extremely trying time in my life. I will always remember him as a great guy. Thanks Howard.

Kelly Serpa Shively (Class of '82)

April 6, 2006

When I think of my years at Humboldt, I think first of Howard. A fine journalist and a fantastic man. Heaven's newest star is shining bright.

Ed Beebout (class of '81)

April 6, 2006

We all remember Howard's demanding standards. More than anyone else in my academic or professional life, he instilled in me the importance of getting it right.

But there's another side of Howard I'll always cherish. When I was a new journalism student at HSU and completely lacking in confidence, Howard did more than teach me the fundamentals of good reporting. He encouraged me and taught me how to believe in myself and my abilities. I'll carry Howard's lessons with me for the rest of life.

Leslie Lollich

April 6, 2006

Ann and family,

Howard's former students from all over the globe are feeling your loss.

The last time I saw Howard was probably a few months ago. He was out at 6 a.m. picking up the newspaper from the front porch. How perfect. I saw him around the neighborhood fairly often after he retired. It was always a bit comforting (or something) to know he was just around the corner.

His distinctive chuckle and his bad jokes will be missed.

We'll see you at the memorial and will get to find out about "women encouraged to wear one earring."

I wrote a message a little earlier, but just like my Lumberjack days, it disappeared into cyberspace. If it reappears, I hope I wasn't too repetative.

Take care, Leslie Lollich

Melissa Clay

April 6, 2006

Luke,

I can't imagine what you must be going through. I only hope that being with family and friends helps to comfort you through this. You and your family are in my prayers.

Cherie Zygaczenko (Class of '92)

April 6, 2006

To Ann and family,

I was deeply saddened to learn of Howard's passing. The first thing I did, subconsciously I'm sure, was to reach up and make sure I had both my earrings on!

Howard was one of the first journalism professors I had at HSU in the fall of 1990, as a 38-year-old re-entry student. I thought I had a pretty good grasp on the English language, that is until I took his Beginning Reporting class. I can't help but think of Howard and his influence on me when I think of all the times I've checked and rechecked spellings of names, places, etc. in the years since.

I will unfortunately not be able to attend his memorial service on Sat. Please know that my thoughts are with you all.

Emily Kratzer

April 6, 2006

One "Bad Howard" joke: "If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?" And remember how he'd croon the one about the evening breeze flowing through her knees...

And how his doctor told him he had to lose weight, quit smoking and quit drinking. So he quit having big sandwiches.

We will miss him and his irreverent approach. He and my first editor had the same philosophy: Sacred cow makes the best hamburger. Go for it J-grads. We need to ask more questions and use FOI more than ever!

Greetings to all the mid-1970s alums!

Alan Workman

April 6, 2006

As a student I was on the Lumberjack two semesters as a writer and two as an editor. Howard's Thursday reviews of the Lumberjack sometimes made you cringe. The lessons learned though were just as much about life as they were about writing or editing. I'll miss him.

Harry Gilbert ('75)

April 6, 2006

Howard taught me to write, and told me to leave more time for play. (He would have dinged me for the comma before "and.") I remember our first assignment in Beginning Reporting: write the story of our births. I remember dinners at Howard and Ann's, the friendship and encouragement. Howard pretended to be upset when I defected from print journalism to broadcasting. While I'm feeling numb and sad today, Ann and offspring should know, if they don't already, the difference Howard made in my life.

Brian Akre (Class of '80)_

April 6, 2006

What a great sense of loss I feel today.

I just heard from Howard by email last week, after my son was born. And what did he do, besides offering me his congratulations? He complimented me on the writing of the announcement. Always the professor, always offering his encouragement ... or a bad joke.

I can't think of anyone who had more of an impact on my career and life beyond my own family. He was my substitute Dad at Humboldt ... I'm sure that was true for thousands of students over the years. He really loved his students and his life, and it showed ... we'll miss him. God bless you, Howard.

Connie Miller

April 6, 2006

Ann, Hank and Luke,

We will miss your dad's great humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Connie and Roger Miller

Tom Trepiak

April 6, 2006

Howard - you were a mentor of mentors. I loved you 25 years ago, and I love you now. God bless you and the family and friends you left behind.

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