David Ross Howard Obituary in Fremont at Fremont Chapel Of The Roses

David Ross Howard

10/30/1958 - 7/3/2014

Obituary For David Ross Howard

David Howard unexpectedly died in his sleep from a heart attack in his Fremont home on July 3, 2014.

Dave, 55, was born and raised in Syracuse, N.Y. He attended B.O.C.E.S/Central Tech, Syracuse through Nottingham High School, graduating in 1976.

As a boy, Dave was curious about how things worked. He was and remained a tinker. That curiosity and the introduction to computers in his high school classes ignited a passion in him for software engineering.

After graduation, Dave left Syracuse for the U.S. Navy and electronics schools. He was stationed in Iceland, Pensacola, Fla. and Skaggs Island, near Novato.

After his six-year enlistment ended, Dave found employment with Genigraphics in New York and then Orange County, CA. Later, he joined Lockheed Martin Corp. as a senior software engineer and relocated to Fremont.

Dave was kind, generous to a fault, affable, and a patient listener. What he gave to his friends—whether gifts or advice—came from his heart. He could be counted on anytime to help someone in need. Forget a birthday? Not Dave. Our birthdays will never be the same. We will miss that call.

Dave loved to ride motorcycles. Science fiction movies, PBS programs, music, cooking, jet skiing, parties and visiting San Francisco and Los Angeles were his hobbies.

His parents, Ross and Hilda Howard, and sister Betsy Howard predeceased him. Dave is survived by his sister Susan Howard, sister Bonnie (Ray) Johnson, and brother John Howard and many cousins, all of Syracuse. He is also survived by longtime companion, Brenda Rust of Tennessee, and “nephew” James Peters and “nephew” and godson Samuel Ross Peters, both of Pleasanton, CA. Dave also left numerous close friends in California and other states. We miss him terribly.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 27, 1 p.m. at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 1301 Mowry Ave., Fremont, CA.

Services in New York will be determined at a later date.

His ashes will be scattered off the southern California coast in a private ceremony later in July.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dave’s memory to The Crucible, 1260 7th St. Oakland, CA 94607.

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Condolences

10/01/2021

Carl Peters

7 files added to the tribute wall
10/01/2021

Patty

James - thank you for creating and sharing this wonderful tribute to Dave. Dave - thank you for being you. Love, Patty
10/01/2021

Bonnie Howard

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10/01/2021

Carl Peters

11 files added to the album Photos Of Dave
10/01/2021

Roger Goodman

2 files added to the album Photos Of Dave
10/01/2021

Erin Smirl Cairati

There's that flamingo
10/01/2021

Erin Smirl Cairati

There was never a nicer guy than Dave . Boy he could really belly laugh with Cindy and I .
10/01/2021

Carl Peters

8 files added to the album Photos Of Dave
10/01/2021

Cindy kessler

THOSE LAST WORDS ARE THE TRUTH.NOONE HAD A HEART LIKE DAVE
10/01/2021

Carl Peters

53 files added to the album Photos Of Dave
10/01/2021

Stevan Davidovich

I met Dave in 1997 while working at Lockheed Martin. Sharon Bunker asked if I needed a Test Engineer for RCDC and I did. What I found in Dave was a soft spoken person who was far more capable than he let himself believe. Even after I left RCDC a few years later, we continued to stay in touch. In fact he helped me build a timing controller for a Boy Scout Pine Wood Derby track. In fact I saw him just about a month before he died. I was sending his way small projects that I knew would interest him. As I walk into my lab at my office, on the bench top sits a motor controller for a Orion Telescope mount that I asked him to build so that I can track the MUOS spacecraft. Despite Dave's apprehension that he never did this kind of work before, as I suspected, he got it to work without any problem in less than a month. I will keep this motor controller in memory of Dave and look forward to seeing him in heaven, where I am sure he is, when my days on earth have come to an end. May his memory be eternal. Stevan M. Davidovich
10/01/2021

Andi Preston Carpenter

1 file added to the album Photos Of Dave
10/01/2021

Cindy kessler

PETE IF U READ THIS I JUST WANTED TO THANK U FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD FRIEND TO DAVID.HE LOVED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SO MUCH.U GUYS WE'RE VERY GOOD TO DAVE.THROUGH ALL THE BAD AND GOOD U HAVE BEEN A GOOD FRIEND.THANK U FOR BEING THERE FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS UP AND DOWN.SHOULD EVERYONE FIND A FRIEND LIKE YOU.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
10/01/2021

Cindy kessler

MY NAME IS CINDY KESSLER ELLISON.I MET DAVE WHEN I WAS 12 YrS OLD.HE WAS LIKE MY BIG BROTHER.I KNOW ONE THING THERE IS NOONE WHO CAN REPLACE DAVID IN MY LIFE.HE WAS MADE FROM A MOLD THAT GOD MADE SPIECIAL.THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR THIS MAN WAITING FOR HIM IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE.IT MAY TAKE HIM A LITTLE WHILE TO GET THERE CAUSE DAVE MOVES SLOWLY.THATS WHYTHEY CALL HIM SPEEDY...MY BROTHER COREY KESSLER WAS ONE OF HIS BEST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS.MY FAMILY WILL MISS MY BIG BROTHER.I HAVE A SPECIAL LOVE FOR DAVE THAT I CAN EXPLAIN IN WORDS.
10/01/2021

Carl Peters

1 file added to the album Video of Dave by J. Peters
10/01/2021

Margi Del TOro

4 files added to the album Photos Of Dave
10/01/2021

Brenda Rust

To the man who could always make me laugh and smile. I will miss you always.
10/01/2021

John McReynolds

May you rest in peace. I will miss your friendship; and cherish the memories of the times we worked together over the many years. Thanks you for the memories! I like to think --- Ones worth is not measured in what one owns but in the memories one leaves â Thank you for MANY! -John McReynolds
10/01/2021

Andrew Carpenter

Best wishes Speedy and may your afterlife be plentiful. -Andi-
10/01/2021

Patty

Dave will be missed terribly. Since he was a part of Cathy and Pete's family, I was able to spend many Christmases with him as well as being the co-godparent to our nephew. Here's to you Dave. May you rest in peace.
10/01/2021

Nancy Lewis casselman

Popcorn and 2 onion sandwiches before bed time
10/01/2021

Margi Del TOro

Lit a candle in memory of David Ross Howard
10/01/2021

Joe Poissant

David Howard taught me this many many and MANY years ago. Still do it today.
10/01/2021

Bonnie Howard

Sue, Bonnie, Betsy, John & David
10/01/2021

Bonnie Howard

David, you are supposed to be helping John row the boat.
10/01/2021

Margi Deltoro

To a guy who always was wanting to help or do anything he could, only knew you for several years, but you meant alot to all your close friends and family,You will truly be missed.
10/01/2021

Erin Smirl Cairati

I love that guy .
10/01/2021

Erin Smirl Cairati

Very handsome in his uniform.
10/01/2021

Cindy kessler

You will be missed.they have a special place for people like dave...love u more then u ever knew...Cindy Kessler ellison

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