The memory of John E.N. Howard will not be forgotten anytime soon in the city of St. Joseph. He died last month at the age of 99, and the St. Joseph City Commission honored him with a resolution at the start of Monday night’s meeting. Commissioner Jeff Richards knew Howard well, and spoke about the impact he could have with just a few words.
“He didn’t say much, but when he did say something, everybody in the Lions Club was quiet,” said Richards. “And if you’ve ever been to a Lions Club meeting when it was quiet, that is a miracle.”
Howard’s name, along with his wife Dede, are on several attractions in the city including the ice arena, the auditorium at St. Joseph High School, the city’s skate park, and the solarium at the Maud Preston Palenske Public Library. He is survived by Dede, and at Howard’s request, there was no funeral. His financial generosity will be seen for generations to come, but city leaders add he also had an immense impact on St. Joseph High School students and other musicians as the conductor of the high school band from 1948 to 1963 and the conductor of the St. Joseph Municipal Band from 1948 to 1987.
Here is the entire resolution honoring Howard, as read by Mayor Mike Garey:
WHEREAS, the community of the City of St. Joseph was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John E.N. Howard on November 16, 2018; and
WHEREAS, John was a talented musician, a dedicated teacher, a gifted conductor, and a generous philanthropist; and
WHEREAS, John personally brought music to our community across five decades, serving as a teacher and the conductor of the St. Joseph High School Band for fifteen years until his retirement in 1963, and also as the conductor of the St. Joseph Municipal Band for forty years, from 1948 to 1987; and
WHEREAS, John also sought other opportunities for service, notably as a longtime member of the Lions Club International, including serving as a District Governor; and
WHEREAS, John has left a profound personal legacy in his students and in the generations of musicians he taught, mentored and led, who continue to spread the universal language of music through their performances and through their teaching to communities and new generations across the nation; and
WHEREAS, John also through his generosity improved the community in many other ways, making possible the John E.N. Howard Bandshell, the John and Dede Howard Family Recreation Trail, the John and Dede Howard Solarium at the Maud Preston Palenske Public Library, the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena, the John and Dede Howard Skate Park, and the John and Dede Howard Auditorium at St. Joseph High School, in addition to his gifts to improve other communities, and the ways he quietly helped other people and organizations; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Joseph has been indelibly changed for the better, and the lives of our residents and visitors improved and enriched, by John E.N. Howard, who said “You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead” and then showed us exactly how to do so:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Commission expresses its sense of loss, and extends its heartfelt sympathy to Dede Howard and the Howard family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Commission expresses its profound gratitude that the City of St. Joseph for so long had the honor of knowing, as a community member and as a friend, John E.N. Howard, a musician, a teacher, a conductor, and a philanthropist; a man who lived a life of meaning, who chose to leave the world a better place for generations he knew, and generations yet to come.
Adopted this 10th day of December, 2018.
Photo is former St. Joseph City Manager Frank Walsh and wife Char with John and Dede Howard. Photo courtesy Frank Walsh.
