Howard Bruce Haisten

Howard Bruce Haisten was born November 30, 1948, in Brunswick, Georgia, to Charles and Lucy Haisten with brother Jack and sisters Betty and Mary. Howard had an idyllic childhood, growing up on St. Simons Island, Georgia, in the neighborhood Oglethorpe Park, fostering lifelong friendships at the island elementary school and in activities such as the Blue Sox little league baseball team. Howard was afforded the benefits of the The Cloister at Sea Island Hotel employee’s pool and other amenities as his parents worked in hospitality, he frequently shared the great memories he made there.

After leaving St. Simon’s Island Elementary School, Howard traveled via school bus with schoolmates to Brunswick Junior High, where at the age of 14 he met his future helpmate and true love Cecie Cate, through a conversation about the New Testament Bible, he carried in his shirt pocket. God would eventually bring them together to be married June 1, 1973, in Brunswick, Georgia.

Howard graduated from Glynn Academy in the Class of 1966, where he studied Mechanical Drawing which employed him as an “old school” pen and ink architectural draftsmen.

Howard fulfilled his military service to our Country by commitments in the FL/GA Army National Guard, Howitzer Unit, 1968-1974, and the Air National Guard Communications and medical units 1976–1978 and always had a big heart for Veterans.

In 1973, Howard became a Life Insurance Agent, working at Life of Georgia but this was not to be his career niche. In 1976, Howard received certification as a Firefighter and EMT with the Brunswick Fire Department, which ignited his medical career. Later becoming a certified Respiratory Therapist while also simultaneously studying full-time to become a Registered Nurse where he initially worked several years for St. Luke’s Hospital and then went on to work in the field of home care and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Jacksonville, FL.

While working as a Respiratory Therapist, he experienced a need for a device to help with patient chest percussion treatments and invented such a device which was granted a patent. Later, his interest in computer programming brought about the development of his “Study Companion”, a program to aid in memorization and recall, ironically unbeknownst to him many decades later an app that has helped millions named “Quizlet” was the exact concept of his creation. Although neither of these efforts made it to the marketplace and were certainly worthwhile pursuits, his program “Study Companion” immensely helped his younger daughter with her academics.

After retirement in 2016, Howard still having the need to help and serve others, volunteered at the Salvation Army Food Pantry, and along with other men from his church, made visitations to Veterans in the Nursing Home on Fernandina Beach, Florida. He developed enjoyment for the game of golf and staying true to his sense of humor, proudly sported his favorite t-shirt “World’s Okayest Golfer”.

In closing, Howard’s loves in life included anyone he considered family, blood and otherwise, friends, his Faith in Jesus Christ, the USA, Rock-in-Roll Blues, sunsets, critters, savoring vanilla ice cream and Southern cliches such as, his favorite response to “How ya doin’?” was undoubtedly always, “Finer than a frog’s hair, how you doin’?”.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lucy Haisten. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Cecie Cate Haisten. Daughter Anna Daniels (husband Johnny) and grandchildren Abby, Christopher, Amber and Kayla and daughter Mary Beth Bellomo (husband AJ) and grandson Anthony. Brother Jack Brown (Nancy), sisters Betty Brown and Mary Gore. Many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to “Golden Isles Veterans’ Village”, their foundation builds tiny houses for our Veterans in need, a mission Howard was deeply passionate about. Donations can be made by going to the website www.goldenislesveteransvillage.com, you can also visit them on Facebook: Golden Isles Veterans’ Village to see all their amazing work they are doing. Contact Info: P.O. Box 1884, Brunswick, GA 31521-1184, [email protected], Phone:833-269-4488.