COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Richard Lee (Dick) Howe, 83, a life-long resident of Columbus, Indiana passed away on April 13, 2022 at 7:34 p.m. Richard was born on January 3, 1939, to Robert and Mildred (Davison) Howe. Richard graduated from Columbus High school in 1957 where he was involved in the choral department and ran track.
In 1962, he graduated from Milligan College in Johnson City, TN with a degree in Elementary Education. He received his master’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University. Richard served six years in the Air Force Reserves at Bakalar Air Base in Columbus, IN. From 1957-1999, Richard worked part-time at Dalton &Payne Men’s Clothing Store, where he acquired a flair for meticulous fashion. For many years, he was employed part time at Ketchum’s Cornucopia Cafeteria. His teaching career began in the Decatur County School Corporation, working in Burney, IN from 1963-1965.
In 1965, he began working for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation at Rockcreek Elementary, retiring in 1999 after 34 years. Most of his career was spent teaching 5th grade. He coached basketball and dedicated many hours to extracurricular activities. Most of his students would remember him as being extremely organized and cleanliness being of extreme importance. His students remarked that his classroom mirrored this as well as his attire, and he expected the same from his students. They would remember him most as the teacher that wrote while using a ruler to keep a straight line.
After retirement, Richard worked as a substitute teacher for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation only teaching Elementary Physical Education classes until 2012 when his health would no longer allow. Richard was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed keeping his vehicles immaculate, especially his Chrysler convertible. He also enjoyed having a well-manicured lawn and mowed lawns for many in his neighborhood.
Richard enjoyed traveling with Conway Tours and especially enjoyed their “Mystery Trips”. He enjoyed all kinds of dancing, particularly line dancing to country music. For many years, Richard enjoyed and took great pride in playing Santa Clause for Columbus families as well as for Columbus community and private events. He enjoyed many years of beach vacations to Ormond Beach, Florida with family and friends.
Surviving to share in his memory are his children, Todd (Jennifer) Howe and Leanne (Rick) Powell;
grandchildren, Logan (Bianca) Howe, Leighton (Shelby) Howe, Betsy (Quinten) Rudolph, Clark (Emma) Thompson, and Katy Thompson; six great-grandchildren with another to arrive in June; sister-in-law, Peggy Howe of Noblesville; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Robert and John Howe; and sisters, Peggy Clark and Phyllis Glasgow.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of South Central Indiana or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank the staff at Keepsake Village, especially Matt &Meena for the care they gave their father and grandfather during his stay over the last 4 years.
The memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 2022, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church; the Reverend Mark Teike will officiate. Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street and from 11 a.m. until service time Thursday at the church. Online condolences and special memories may be sent to the family and a video tribute may be seen at barkesweaverglick.com.
