Richard Howe, age 84, of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, passed away on March 27, 2024, following illness from cancer. He was predeceased by his father Kenneth Elisha Howe and mother Eva Theatrice Davis Howe, siblings Mary Kathryn Howe-Hawk, Theatrice Jeanne Febus, Dora Louise Howe Culp, George Franklin Howe, Keith Howard Howe, Kenneth Eugene Howe, Karen Lynette Howe and stepbrother James Roscoe Proctor. He left behind one stepsister, Maxine Howe Dorsey and her family, his wife, Betty Carol Barker Howe, who lives in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and his daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Howe, who lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband, Benjamin Clapp, and their daughters Grace, Elizabeth, and Lillian.
He was born on May 6, 1939 in Latham, Illinois. He received his B.S. and M.A. degrees from Appalachian State University (ASU) in Boone, North Carolina and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). At ASU, he won an athletic scholarship to play basketball during his undergrad years and was later inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball. He was also awarded ASU’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Richard spent most of his professional career working for his beloved alma mater, ASU, and dedicated 43 years of service to the school. During his time at ASU, he was the assistant to the chancellor, the University’s Compliance Officer, and a professor in the Reich College of Education. In the College of Education, he taught graduate courses in history, law, and higher education.
In 1978 he married his perfect match, Betty Carol Barker. They made their home in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and were married for 46 years. They raised their daughter, Caroline Elizabeth Howe, there and were surrounded by a kind and supportive neighborhood community. Richard was a consummate cheerleader for his ladies in everything they pursued and never missed a game or match in which his daughter played. During his last years of life when he struggled with the residual effects of radiation treatment from cancer, Betty devotedly cared for him.
Richard was an incredible athlete and sports fanatic and enjoyed playing doubles and singles tennis at Deer Valley Racquet Club with his crew of guy friends. Ever the fierce competitor, his long baseline shots and lefty serves were hard to defend, showing no mercy on the court for anyone, friend or not. He adored his group of guy friends who he called, “the boys,” and when he retired, he enjoyed meeting them for lunch and fellowship twice a week.
He loved reading and writing poetry and found great comfort in British poetry, especially. He quoted his favorite lines of poetry to his family daily and during car rides to school. His daughter was able to return the favor by reciting his favorite poems back to him, out loud, during his last days.
A dedicated member of the service organization, Rotary International, he served six terms as club president of the Rotary Club of Boone and two terms as district governor of District 7670. He also raised over $10 million for The Rotary Foundation.
His family will remember and cherish his enthusiastic, never-back-down spirit, and his unwavering dedication to the people and institutions he loved.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina at 140 Chestnut Drive Post Office Box 14, Blowing Rock, NC 28605-0014 or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
