Richard Lee Howard
March 24, 1964 ~ June 23, 2014
Richard L. Howard, 50, Sioux Falls, died Monday, June 23, 2014, at his home in Sioux Falls.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, June 30, at the Celebration UMC in Brandon, with Pastor Joel Higgins officiating.
Richard Lee Howard was born March 24, 1964, in Sioux Falls to Stephen and Ruth (Reiners) Howard. Richard grew up on a farm near Corona, where he enjoyed doing field work when he cdrive the big tractors. Richard attended school in Milbank and graduated in 1982. After graduation, Richard served in the Army where he was a tank operator. He was stationed in Germany and along the Czechoslovakia border.
When he returned home, he attended a technical school and worked as a machinist in Minneapolis. Richard operated a computerized plasma cutter making metal machine parts. He also worked as a mechanic for go-karts and bumper cars. Richard’s only son, Dana, was born while he lived and worked in Minneapolis.
Richard purchased a semi and tanker and became an owner/operator, hauling edible oils coast to coast. In 1996, Richard returned to South Dakota to work as a truck driver. He drove an auto transport, hauling cars from the auction on the east coast to Sioux Falls. Richard also had experience driving heavy equipment and dump trucks.
Richard was proud to be a member of the El Riad Shrine in Sioux Falls. He was active in many different units including sprint cars and the Highlander Pipe Band. He was a member of the director staff and volunteered at the Shrine Circus. Richard also volunteered his time to transport kids to Minneapolis to the Shriner’s hospital.
Richard was a very good marksman and enjoyed target practice. Once while squirrel hunting he was shot by his own dog. He sat his gun down against the fence without the safety on and the dog knocked the gun over and went off, winging him on the left side. After that incident Richard left the dog home when he went hunting.
Richard will be missed by his family and friends. Interment will be in the Milbank Cemetery at a later date.
Richard L. Howard is survived by his son, Dana (Katie) Howard, Tacoma, WA; granddaughter, Aubrianna; mother, Ruth Howard, Brandon; two brothers; Travis, Brandon, and Douglas, Ross ND; two sisters; Teresa Groth, and Amy (Stephen) Byers, Sioux Falls and many nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his father, Stephen L; a sister, Kathy Jo; his grandparents, Stephen H. & Helen Jean Howard and Henry & Elizabeth Reiners; a brother-in-law, Robert Groth III, and a niece, Monica Howard.
A dear friend and coworker. He had a Heart of Gold.
Ruth and family,
I was sad to hear the lost of your son Richard. He is in a better place now and talking with his dad and sister and others. He will be looking down and smiling for you and will be waiting at the gates. Richard did not leave you he just went before you to the Heavenly Father. May God be with all of you in this very sad time.
Dear Ruth,
I’m so sad to learn of Richard’s death. I can’t even imagine it with my own kids. Know that I will be lifting you in prayer tomorrow and in the days to come.
Dear Ruth,
The burden of your heart must weigh heavily. May it be a small comfort to know that brothers and sisters in Christ are helping hold up your heart in prayer, like Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms.
With heartfelt sympathy and prayers too deep for words!
To Richards Family,
As a fellow Mason, Shriner, Highlander and friend I will miss, we will miss, Richard more than we can say. He was there to support us when ever he could and we knew even when he was on the road and could not be with us he was supporting us in his thoughts and prayers. I will miss my parking lot chats with him, marching side by side in parades with him and his never ending jokes. Richard, we will se you someday and once again we will be able to march shoulder to shoulder.
My condolences to Rich’s Family. We here at the store are shocked to hear of his passing. I have known him to be a very caring considerate guy. An honest person who always did what he said he would do. We like many will surely miss Rich. RIP Rich.