Walter T. Howard, Ph.D.
November 23, 1951 — May 7, 2015
Walter T. Howard, Ph.D.
Walter T. Howard, Ph.D., age 63, 511 Grove Ave., Catawissa, our loving husband, father, step-father, grandfather, brother and uncle concluded his journey through this stage of being at 8:30 p. m. Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he was a patient since April 27th.
Born on November 23, 1951 in Hazard, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Lowell Thomas and Margaret (Crutchfield) Howard. He was a proud son of a long line of hardworking coal miners, preferring to read a book over hammer swinging. He accumulated a massive personal library that we promised to take care of.
Dr. Howard earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of West Florida and his Ph.D. degree from Florida State University in 1987.
He taught history at Bloomsburg University for the past 24 years, always advocating social justice and equality. His voice and teachings will continue through the many books, articles and papers he has written, that are now in libraries throughout the world.
Dr. Howard received numerous academic awards in his career, including the Award for Outstanding Scholarship, from the Bloomsburg University Institute for Culture and Society, in 2006; “Dean’s Salute to Excellence†Award from Bloomsburg University in 2005; and the Gustavus Myers Award for Human Rights Scholarship, for his book, “Lynchings: Extralegal Violence in Florida During the 1930’s†in 1996.
He organized the Bloomsburg University Chapter of the NAACP and served as the faculty advisor to the group. He also served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Communist History from 2007 to the present; the advisory board of the Bloomsburg Task Force on Racial Equity; the advisory board of the Black History Month committee; the Advisory Board of the Multicultural Center; and was the faculty advisor to the American Democracy Project and to the Phi Alpha Theta Fraternity.
Dr. Howard has taught his last class, written his last book, given his last hugs, relayed his last story of childhood antics with his brothers, told his last bad joke and given his last round of pocket money to all of us.
Walter is survived by his wife of 23 years, the former Virginia M. Kreps; sons: Christopher Howard, and his wife Rachel, Austin, Tex.; Ian Howard and Austin Howard, at home; daughter, Stephanie Bodziony, Austin, Tex.; step-sons: Caleb Mattern, and his wife Lois, Briar Creek; Jesse Mattern, and his wife Monique, Penn’s Creek; five grandchildren and wind beneath his wings: Terrence, Rakira, Alex, Kaya and Dakota.
Also surviving are two brothers: Lowell Thomas Howard, Jr, and his wife Vicki, Picayune, Miss. and Robert Howard, and his wife Betty, Sardis, Miss.; and two sisters: Connie Howard, Chalmette, La. Debbie Cornett, Wooten, Ken. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Missing him as well from under the dinner table are his dogs, Marley and Rita.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Nicholas Howard.
Tell your family you love them today, because tomorrow, yes tomorrow, they might not be able to hear you.
Papa, It’s time to wake up!
In accordance with Walter’s wishes, there will be no funeral services.
You may remember Walter with a contribution to: NAACP Husky Fund at Bloomsburg University, c/o Community Activities Office, 400 E. Second Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Born on November 23, 1951 in Hazard, Kentucky, he was a son of the late Lowell Thomas and Margaret (Crutchfield) Howard. He was a proud son of a long line of hardworking coal miners, preferring to read a book over hammer swinging. He accumulated a massive personal library that we promised to take care of.
Dr. Howard earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of West Florida and his Ph.D. degree from Florida State University in 1987.
He taught history at Bloomsburg University for the past 24 years, always advocating social justice and equality. His voice and teachings will continue through the many books, articles and papers he has written, that are now in libraries throughout the world.
Dr. Howard received numerous academic awards in his career, including the Award for Outstanding Scholarship, from the Bloomsburg University Institute for Culture and Society, in 2006; “Dean’s Salute to Excellence†Award from Bloomsburg University in 2005; and the Gustavus Myers Award for Human Rights Scholarship, for his book, “Lynchings: Extralegal Violence in Florida During the 1930’s†in 1996.
He organized the Bloomsburg University Chapter of the NAACP and served as the faculty advisor to the group. He also served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the American Communist History from 2007 to the present; the advisory board of the Bloomsburg Task Force on Racial Equity; the advisory board of the Black History Month committee; the Advisory Board of the Multicultural Center; and was the faculty advisor to the American Democracy Project and to the Phi Alpha Theta Fraternity.
Dr. Howard has taught his last class, written his last book, given his last hugs, relayed his last story of childhood antics with his brothers, told his last bad joke and given his last round of pocket money to all of us.
Walter is survived by his wife of 23 years, the former Virginia M. Kreps; sons: Christopher Howard, and his wife Rachel, Austin, Tex.; Ian Howard and Austin Howard, at home; daughter, Stephanie Bodziony, Austin, Tex.; step-sons: Caleb Mattern, and his wife Lois, Briar Creek; Jesse Mattern, and his wife Monique, Penn’s Creek; five grandchildren and wind beneath his wings: Terrence, Rakira, Alex, Kaya and Dakota.
Also surviving are two brothers: Lowell Thomas Howard, Jr, and his wife Vicki, Picayune, Miss. and Robert Howard, and his wife Betty, Sardis, Miss.; and two sisters: Connie Howard, Chalmette, La. Debbie Cornett, Wooten, Ken. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Missing him as well from under the dinner table are his dogs, Marley and Rita.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Nicholas Howard.
Tell your family you love them today, because tomorrow, yes tomorrow, they might not be able to hear you.
Papa, It’s time to wake up!
In accordance with Walter’s wishes, there will be no funeral services.
You may remember Walter with a contribution to: NAACP Husky Fund at Bloomsburg University, c/o Community Activities Office, 400 E. Second Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter T. Howard, Ph.D., please visit our flower store.
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