The family is sad to announce that Henry F. Howden passed away peacefully on May 21, 2014 in Victoria, B.C. Born August 19, 1925 in Baltimore, MD he served with the U.S. Air Force in the latter part of World War II. After obtaining his Ph.D. from North Carolina State, he taught Entomology at the University of Tennessee for 4 years. He then moved to Ottawa, Canada and worked at Agriculture Canada for a dozen years. In 1970 he accepted a position as Professor of Biology at Carleton University and taught Systematics and Entomology there for 28 years. He published many books and scientific papers and together with his wife, Anne, built one of the largest private scarab and weevil collections in the world, which is now housed at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
He was an elected Fellow of the Entomological Society of Canada, the Entomological Society of America and was an Honorary Member of the Coleopterists Society, having served twice as President. He was a long standing member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Ottawa.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Anne T. Howden, his daughters; Patience, Barbara (Mitchell), and Lucile (Jonathan); and his grandchildren; Sasha, Keegan, Sydney, Zachariah and Cameron.
He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends all over the world.
A Funeral Service will be held at the Royal Oak Burial Park Chapel on 4673 Falaise Dr. in Victoria on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 10:30 am, with interment and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Luis Carlos Pardo-Locarno
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Wendy Ritchie Dear Patience and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I have lost both of my parents (my mother in November 2013), so I know how hard it can be. I was just trying to search out old friends from my past online and unfortunately I found you through the McCall’s notice. This was not how I hoped to touch base with you once again (we knew each other well in Ottawa when you lived in Trillium Park and my family lived on Merrivale Road in the 60’s).
I have fond memories of you and your family, and if you would like to contact me I’ve left my e-mail for you with this message. Please give my condolences to the rest of your family and I wish you all the best in the future.Wendy Ritchie
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Leonardo Delgado I will always remember the good advice that Dr. Henry Howden gave me for my work as an entomologist.
His family please accept my condolences. Rest in Peace!
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Al Brown Patience, Barb, Lucy, Mrs Howden and families please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. May your hearts be lifted with memories of the life and love you had together.
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Mary Ann McKenna Trillium Avenue in Nepean sends it’s regrets. How lucky we were to have had such good neighbours! My mother was delighted to have two bug experts so close by! She often brought garden specimens to Harry and Anne for identification and advice. Our sympathies to Anne, Patience, Barb and Lucy.
the McKenna family
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Bernard Philogene My sincere condolences to Anne and family.
I had the pleasure of knowing and collaborating with Henry during his tenure at Carleton University. Thesis defences, seminars, being together at entomology meetings were always enjoyable. Henry was an excellent scientist and teacher.
Bernard Philogene, Professor Emeritus
University of Ottawa
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Margaret Sampson I was sorry to read of Henry’s passing in the Citizen – and I want to extent condolences on behalf of my mother, Joan Sampson (now living in Almonte, Ontario at the Fairview Manor).
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Chris Morry My sincerest condolences to Henry’s wife, Ann, and his family. I was one of hundreds or even thousands of students who owe Henry a debt of gratitude for his support and wise advice that guided us into our careers and future lives. In 1970, I was in Australia and applying for entry into the Masters programme at Macquarie University when Henry sent word that he had gotten an NRC grant and was willing to sponsor my research leading to a degree at Carleton. By that one simple but thoughtful gesture my entire life was changed. I came home, finished my education at Carleton and U of O and went on to long and productive career in my field — all thanks to Henry. God Bless, Henry.
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Bruce Burwell Henry taught Evolution and Biogeography at Carleton in the late 70’s and I took it in my last year. It was easily my most memorable course at Carleton and I felt like he was really teaching us all to think and question what we read. At one point Henry handed out ‘important’ scientific papers for the students to review and report on back to the class I was shocked to get one that was clearly nonsense. When I had to report on it in class I stood up uncomfortably and started to say that I disagreed with its basic premise that continental drift had all happened within the last ten thousand years. Henry had a huge grin on his face and said something like – “Yes, its amazing they got that published isnt it?’
My condolences to Anne and the rest of the family on your loss.
Bruce
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Sally Pritchett Please accept my condolences on this difficult time. I didn’t know Harry well but I am in awe of his knowledge and accomplishments. Not bad for a Baltimore boy. I wish the very best for Anne and all members of the family. Sally Pritchett
Yours Sincerely. I deeply regret the death of Dr Henry Howden, one of the largest taxonomists Scarabaeoidea of America. I will always remember his support for my research and the transfer of valuable documents of his authorship.
Luis Carlos Pardo-Locarno, PhD
Professor of Entomology
University of the Pacific
Colombia