Robert James Howe

Robert James Howe, age 91, born September 3, 1932 – died May 19, 2024. Bob Howe was a builder. He built toys and houses, every type of furniture, and he built communities. He took dreams and ideas and turned them into art and function. Rehabbing bridges, a theater, a fountain, a recreation area, a gas station—anything could be pulled into the wheelhouse. Born in Troy, New York, to Sarah Elizabeth (DeLong) Howe and Harold Bartlett Howe, Bob attended public schools and then The School for American Craftsmen at Rochester Institute of Technology. This was followed by fellowships, grants, and further study at Oswego State, Harvard, Antioch, and M.I.T. He always read voraciously, studied Carl Jung in great depth, and got a degree in dance therapy in his late 60s. Bob grew up “making things” with his father. As a young boy, he helped his parents build a rustic cabin on Lake George, where five generations of Howes have spent summers ever since. He was an excellent lacrosse player, and loved time in the woods, hunting and canoe tripping. His love of woodworking never left him, and he managed to spend hours and days in his workshop, creating. All of his children followed in Bob’s footsteps as designers and builders. In high school, he fell in love with Cora May Wells and they started a family in Troy that moved to Rochester and then to Bennington in 1953. By 1960 they had four children and Bob was well established as a shop teacher (then called Industrial Arts) at Bennington High School (then called Benhi). Always something of a nonconformist, Bob used to send notes to excuse tardiness for his son to the office on scraps of wood, which were not easy to file. Bob and Cora May were married for 73 years. In 1974, Bob and David Kelso started K and H Products, designing and manufacturing first-of-their-kind camera carrying cases. Before he retired, the business had grown to employ over 100 people, all working in North Bennington. As Bob's involvement in K and H wound down, his community activism ballooned. He sat on numerous boards and helped steer many civic projects to completion. Together with Cora May, Bob supported almost every arts and community building organization in town. Bob was able to accomplish all that he did with the love and support of his wife and children. Bob is predeceased by his parents and his older brother Bart. Surviving Bob are his wife, Cora May Howe, his children Bart (Alison Forrest), Rick, Greg, Sarah (and Maarten) van Ryckevorsel, grandson Sam (Orli Handmaker) and great grandson Tavi. Also surviving are his sister- and brother-in-law Patsy and Jack Maddigan, brother-in-law Bill Walsh, and 30 nieces and nephews who have loved, cherished and been inspired by their Uncle Bob. Per Bob’s wishes, there will be no formal services, but a celebration of his life is planned for later in the summer. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to a charitable organization of your choice.