Major David Van Vleet Howie, Usarmy Retired

David Van Vleet Howie was born in East Orange, NJ, on November 9, 1921. He graduated with a degree in printing from the Rochester Institute of Technology, after which he enlisted in the US Army in 1942. He served in the Field Artillery in North Africa and Italy where he was involved in three campaigns: the Rome-Arno, North Apennine Mountains, and Po Valley. In 1945 he was honorably discharged, after which he continued to serve in the reserves until 1963, when he retired as a major.

David met Betty Jane Hagreen on Seneca Lake when they were both 17. They were married in the Townsendville Methodist Church on July 5, 1946 and they had six children: David, Dianne, Barbara, Brian, Beth, and Deborah. David worked at the Madison Eagle newspaper before owning and operating ACE Press in Madison, NJ for several years.  The family moved to Hollywood, FL in 1966. He began a second career as a high school printing teacher before his retirement in 1983. He and Betty were fortunate to be able to travel the country extensively until she was stricken with Alzheimer’s and passed away on June 24, 2010.

David will be remembered for his love of telling jokes and off-color limericks and his endless stories about his time in the army…endless, endless stories…just ask his kids! He also had a photographic memory and was always the go-to person for any question under the sun. This prompted all his children to have mugs that say, “I don’t need Google--my father knows everything!”

David passed away in Wheat Ridge, CO, on April 15, 2023 at the age of 101. He is survived by his children; Dianne, Barbara, Brian, Beth (David), and Deborah, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. David was predeceased by his wife, Betty; son, David; and grandson Brian David.

He will be interred in West Lodi Cemetery August 9, 2024. Per David’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Lodi Historical Society, PO Box 279,Lodi, NY  14860