Richard Patrick Howard

1934 - 2025

Richard Patrick Howard

1934 - 2025

Richard P. Howard, a celebrated architectural illustrator, devoted family man, and lifelong fitness enthusiast, passed away in September 2025, in Toledo, Ohio, surrounded by the loving embrace of his children and grandchildren. His legacy is one of profound artistic achievement and deep familial love.

Born on St. Patrick's Day, in Toledo, Richard's early life was marked by adventure and meaningful experiences. As a young teen, he took summer student trips with a local priest, Fr. Jim Curtis, visiting National League baseball games and amusement parks across the Northeast. He loved model railroads, his first scale models, and was enthralled to see the Toledo Tomorrow scale model unveiled in 1945, at age 12. He was also profoundly impacted by the loss of his older brother, Joseph, who died at 18 during WWII, having refused special treatment during conscription due to his strong moral convictions.

Richard began his formal education at John Carroll University before earning his Architectural Engineering degree from the University of Detroit in 1958, following his high school graduation from Maumee Valley Country Day School. While a student, he completed co-op work in Toledo, which established his professional roots in the city.

In 1959, Richard launched his career with a huge 8'x10' scale model commission of downtown Toledo that showcased a new riverfront and pedestrian shopping malls with design contributions from over a dozen local firms, and the work was featured in the regional press, which launched his Sylvania, Ohio, firm, Howard Associates, to local and national recognition. A team of two dozen artists and support staff created architectural renderings, scale models, and computer animations for prominent architects and projects worldwide, including those by Frank Gehry, Philip Johnson, Cesar Pelli, and IM Pei, for nearly four decades. The firm created presentations for projects such as The Met, MoMA, the U.S. Capital, the Vietnam war veterans memorial, and produced prominent advertising for brands like DAP, Ryan Homes, and Schulz Homes. Their work was featured in major architectural journals, establishing the firm as a global leader in architectural presentation. Howard Associates eventually won commissions for Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, and the Citicorp building, among many others. Richard loved meeting so many of his architectural heroes throughout his illustrious career, and he's a great example of how "choosing a job you love means never having to work."

In 1997, Richard and his wife, Pat, moved to New York City. While Pat's art found a home at pop art pioneer Ivan Karp's OK Harris gallery, Richard opened a satellite office, sold his firm, and then worked as a freelance sketch artist. He enjoyed early morning bicycle rides on the Hudson Valley Greenway, in addition to working out with his trainer in midtown. He absolutely loved the energy of NYC. Their children and grandchildren often visited, creating unforgettable memories.

While his professional achievements were vast, Richard's life was defined by his unwavering love for Pat, his wife of 64 years. In the 1970s, Richard and Pat embarked on cross-country adventures with their seven children in an Airstream trailer, modified to sleep nine, creating treasured family memories. Together they restored a 1877 Victorian mansion in Toledo's Historic Old West End, flipped two condos in New York City, and built a large doll house together in retirement.

In 2019, Richard and Pat returned to Toledo to be closer to family. Pat passed away in 2021, and Richard carried on their shared legacy of love and creativity. He remained very active through his later years, with thrice-weekly visits to the gym with his son, Joseph, or granddaughter, Hayley, several weekly lunch and dinner dates, as well as a weekly Sunday brunch with family, and volunteering as an exercise coach at West Park Place. He also enjoyed learning about the benefits of a plant-based diet to prevent disease, watching historical documentaries and mysteries, and listening to The Beatles, despite his struggles with the increasing loss of his vision and hearing.

Richard cherished childhood memories, valued kindness, and expressed admiration for those who showed compassion to "puppy dogs, small children, and the very old." He enjoyed a lifelong curiosity and appreciation of excellent design.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat; and his children, Elizabeth and Margaret. He is survived by his children, Joseph (Linda), Edward (Ellie), Angela (Jake), and John (Kim); his grandchildren, Christian, Three (Beckie), Ben, Zoey, Natalie, Nathan, Hayley (Chris), Cassidy, Delaney, and Riley; and his great-grandchildren, Alice and Bradey.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, perhaps honor Richard's memory by enjoying a Beatles song, exploring a plant-based diet, getting your body in motion, sharing a kind gesture, or visiting a local art gallery to appreciate the creativity.