George Howe
We just recently found out that one of our own, George Howe passed away November 02, 2015.
George was born May 9, 1934 in Rumford, Maine to Marguerite Goodwin and George Howe. He was raised in Rumford and attended Rumford schools graduating from Stephens High School. While he was in High School he was often a photographer for the local newspaper. Shortly after graduating from High School he enlisted in the US Army for two years. George was trained in motion camera photography and movie making at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey after basic training. He was then transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia to an airborne paratrooper unit where he received further training in photography. He returned to Rumford for a short time after his discharge from the Army but reenlisted two years later in the U.S. Air Force (the Army Office was closed).
George visited every state while in the Air Force and many countries. He was with a Photo Mapping Unit in Japan and was transferred into the Audio Visual Squadron. After several years he was transferred to Vandenberg AFB in California where he was assigned which was being built up to be a world class missile base. While he was stationed at Vandenberg he received orders for Vietnam. George served three tours in Vietnam. While on a rescue flight over the China Sea George “distinguished himself by his heroism while participating in a serial flight as an Air Force Photographer over hostile waters on 7 August 1966. On that date, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Airman Howe, while under intense hostile fire, aided in the rescue of two downed airmen.” He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Award for his part in a rescue.
After returning from Vietnam, George was sent to Germany – an assignment he enjoyed. In Germany he began square dancing which he truly enjoyed and continued after returning to California. He returned to Vandenberg and then went to Hawaii as his last station in the Air Force. While at Vandenberg George attended Hancock College and received a degree. A highlight of George’s career as a camera man in the Air Force was filming the air scenes in the movie Top Gun.
George settled in Boise, Idaho for several years after his discharge from the Air Force. He was active in the Boise Kiwanis Club, his Church and also as a Boy Scout Leader. He was very proud that ten young men from his troop became Eagle Scouts. George became an active camper and visited many states in his five wheeler camper. One of his favorite adventures was riding down the Mississippi River with the camper. Before his illness, George was the Director of the Retirees Office, a volunteer position, at Westover Air Reserve Base. He was a member of the South Hadley Falls Congregational Church where he served on the Music Committee.
George leaves his wife, Barbara F. (Bonnie) Randall-Howe, his daughters Marguerite Robertson of Crestwood, Kentucky and Kathleen Springer Scott and her husband, Dave of Bentonville, Arkansas, four grandchildren – Andrea Springer, Nicholas Springer, Benjamin Springer and Alya Woelk. He leaves his sisters – Eleanor Touchette of Rumford, Maine and Debra Gervais and her husband Robert of Allentown, New Hampshire. He was predeceased by his sister Ruth Wiles of Scarborough, Maine. He leaves many nieces and nephews. He leaves his brother in law Robert Farman, who was a loyal friend to him and his partner James Berger, and his sister in law Peggy Woods and her husband Gill, and also leaves Bennie’s children – Tania Rorke and her husband Tom, Butch Randall and his wife Tricia, and John Randall and his wife Chrissie, seven grandchildren, and a great grandchild.
Services were held at the United Methodist Church on 30 Carew Street in South Hadley Thursday, November 5, at 1 o’clock PM. The Burial will be in Maine at a later date. Curran-O’Brien Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information please go to curranobrien.com.