I met Howie through his wife JaneLouise. She is a long-time, dear friend of mine. In honoring Howie I need to honor both of them as they were true partners and rarely apart until the very end. I fondly remember the times when we all would discuss our love of gardening and of the joy we felt from seeing vegetables grow and spring forth from the soil. I was impressed with Howie’s determination to continue to work in their garden, even when the sun was out and his strength was weakening. While he worked JaneLouise would keep a watchful eye from a distance as he tilled the soil, approaching him with pockets full of dark chocolates, water, and a chair when he was done. In the winter he would return from treatment and put on his skis or snowshoes, determined not to let cancer control his life. Year in year out I witnessed and heard about these exercise in fortitude. Howie’s and JaneLouise’s mutual love and respect for the natural world was evident in how they lived their lives. They both were deeply concerned citizens of this Earth, deciding to keep many hundreds of acres they owned in the Adirondacks "forever wild" and free from any sort of development. A while back JaneLouise had asked a friend to place some feeders at the height of the bedroom window on super long poles so Howie could watch the wild birds while he rested. The window screens were removed for a better view of the activity outside. “Bird TV” Howie would tell me with a twinkle in his eye, "is SO much better than regular TV." I remember watching "Bird TV" with them both during Howie’s final days. And then of course there is Hazel, their rescue dog who matched Howie’s energy and thirst for life mile for mile. Howie and Hazel quickly became athletic companions along the Erie Canal bike path. Both Howie and Janelouise showed Hazel the dignity and love that allowed her to flourish. It was clear from watching Howie talk about and interact with Hazel that they each meant a great deal to each other. I can truly say that spending time with Howie and Janelouise was to spend time surrounded by two people who genuinely loved one another, and were each other’s champions and loyal partners till the very end. Howie I want to thank you for your life of service and love and for sharing who and what you are with all of us. I will always remember the time you spent with my newborn son Oliver. I am very grateful that you two got to meet one another. I think of you every time I use the burping technique with Oliver that you taught me. It works like a charm! Thank you dear friend, for gracing this world. It was far too short.