Howard Franklin Creveling Jr.

Dr. Howard Franklin Creveling, Jr. was born November 23, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey and passed away January 18, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the firstborn son of Howard and Clara Howell Creveling. The years Howard lived on the family farm in Califon, New Jersey, near family and life-long friends, had a lasting effect on him. Howard’s love of anything mechanical was evident as a child, as was his ability to creatively solve problems, as he took apart and put back together the family radio and car.

Howard moved to Indianapolis in 1950 and attended Purdue University after graduating from Broad Ripple High School in 1954. He earned three mechanical engineering degrees from Purdue, including a PhD in thermodynamics in 1964. During those years, Howard was an incredibly hard worker, whether in the organized chaos of the Broad Ripple Handy Hardware, on a factory floor, in a research lab or in the classroom as a student or as an instructor. Howard was constantly busy and known as an incredibly hard worker throughout his life.

By chance, Howard met Helen Elizabeth Steele on a blind date in the summer of 1958. Throughout the years, his eyes lit up telling the story of that evening spent with Liz and their mutual good friends watching the planes coming and going at the airport. Howard and Liz married a year later in September 1959 and had three children, Jane Creveling DeVoe, Richard Creveling and Thomas Creveling. Howard and Liz were together until her untimely death in 2001.

Howard had a 34-year career in engine development and manufacturing with the Allison Gas Turbine Division of General Motors and subsequently Rolls Royce. A former colleague recalls Howard as a special engineering talent, known for his depth and breadth of engineering knowledge, pragmatism and character. Highlights of his career included leading General Motors’ joint venture with the Department of Energy to develop a hydrogen fuel cell for use in automobiles at Los Alamos National Laboratory, as well as work on aircraft engine development programs in the U.K. and Italy. Howard was always a team player, and his on-site contributions were critical to the successful installation of engines in the C-27 J transport aircraft, dozens of which are still in service in the U.S. Coast Guard and other services around the world.

Howard was a skilled and pragmatic repairman, who was well known for being generous with his time and his expertise. Howard’s love language was oil change, and he enjoyed helping family, friends and neighbors fix their cars and maintain their homes. He always had the right tool at hand, regardless of the repair or its location. A close friend would jokingly tell people that his mechanic had a PhD.

Howard is remembered for his intellect, way with words, quick wit, and loyalty. Over the years, he maintained many friendships that spanned decades, communities and even countries. Howard invested in the community through his active involvement and leadership in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood, the Indianapolis Public Schools, Fairview Presbyterian Church, the English-Speaking Union, the Contemporary Club, the Rotary Club, Families First and the Indianapolis Literary Club.

In addition to Liz, Howard was preceded in death by his younger brother Richard Charles Creveling, who died in infancy. He is survived by his three children Jane Creveling DeVoe, Rich Creveling, and Tom Creveling (Kelley); and seven grandchildren Tucker Creveling (Samantha Rhys), Finn Creveling, Ayanna Pasquin (Jordan), Annie DeVoe, Ted DeVoe, Sam Creveling and Libbie Creveling; two great-grandsons, Bennett DeVoe-Klein and Murray Pasquin; as well as his brother, Jay Creveling, sister-in-law, Carolyn Creveling and niece, Rachel Martin (Scott). Howard is also survived by his friend, Gloria Laverty.

The burial will be private. Visitation will be held at Crown Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 700 W. 38th Street Indianapolis, IN 46208, on May 10, 2024 from 2pm. A celebration of life will follow at 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center or the Elizabeth Steele Creveling Memorial Scholarship using the following links:

Giving | Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center | IU School of Medicine:

https://medicine.iu.edu/research-centers/alzheimers/giving

Biology Elizabeth Steele Creveling Memorial Scholarship: : Scholarships: Financial Aid & Scholarships: Admissions: School of Science IUPUI:

https://science.iupui.edu/admissions/fin-aid-scholarships/scholarships/_scholarships/biology-elizabeth-steele-creveling-memorial-scholarship.html