– November 19, 2023
Robert Charles Howson Jr. passed away Sunday Nov. 19, 2023 due to complications from leukemia in hospice, Scottsdale, Az. Bob was born in Chelsea Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Mass. In May 1945. Bob grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Miami of Ohio where he was a member of the Figi fraternity.
He joined the US Air Force where he trained as a pilot at Williams Air Force base in Mesa, Az. He then served duty in VietNam where he was the highest time C-123 pilot to serve. Once leaving the Air Force Bob flew commercially for Delta Airlines for 32 years from 1972-2003. He was based in numerous cities throughout the US, having resided in Atlanta, New Orleans, New Hampshire, Boston, Park City, Utah and after retirement in Washington state and Arizona.
Bob married Laura in 1994. They traveled extensively through SE Asia, Europe, South America, parts of Africa, Tibet, Nepal, Mongolia, Scandinavia and parts of the Middle East. In more recent years the Howson’s got hooked on cruising, accumulating over 1000 days each on numerous cruise lines.
Bob loved adventure, travel, road bicycling, snow skiing and animals. He built a “hangar-home” in north central Washington and enjoyed flying his Bonanza for several years post retirement. Bob became a volunteer ski instructor for disabled people in Park City, volunteering for many years with NAC, the National Ability Center.
He is survived by his wife Laura, a sister, Holly Dahlman of Charleston, SC, a sister-in-law Susan Howson of Macedonia, Ohio, three nieces, two nephews, three great nieces and one great nephew. As well as numerous cousins and in-laws.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother, father and step-mother of Cleveland, Ohio and one brother David Howson of Hudson, Ohio.
No funeral or memorial service will be held as per Bob’s request. In Bob’s memory, please donate to any animal organization or animal rescue group of your choice.