Howard Bell Klippel Jr.

A celebration of life will be held for Howard Bell Klippel Jr at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Darien, Georgia on Wednesday June 7th, 2023 at 10:00 AM with the Reverend Michael Gumulauskas officiating. A reception to follow after the service at the Parish House. A procession to Saint Andrew’s Cemetery to complete internment will follow.

Howard Bell Klippel Jr was born in Akron Ohio on October 28, 1928. Born the only child of Engineer, Howard B Klippel Sr and Teacher, Barbara A (Brennan) Klippel. He was a graduate of Bucktell High School in Akron. Subsequently he attended The Citadel Charleston SC then fulfilling a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Virginia.

Post-graduation Howard was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict. There he served domestically in the Signal Corp in the field of advanced ballistic design/engineering. After release from the Army Howard was recruited by ITE Philadelphia PA. He worked on leading edge radar, circuitry and transistor technologies including the Arecibo radio telescope, Puerto Rico, and MPQ landing radar. His knowledge of radar design led to new Air Force and Aerospace programs at Patrick’s AFB, NASA, and Cape Canaveral FL. Here his talents were recognized by the founders of Scientific Atlanta where he creatively spent the remainder of his career. He was part of S/A’s original engineering team designing land-satellite communications. Here he represented S/A as the corporate liaison to the US Navy for Land Base to Sea Satellite design and sales. As National Sales manager, Howard led the design team which sold TBS, Atlanta, the first satellite dish. His creative brilliance, integrity, humor, team leadership, and passion were abundant throughout his career, always giving credit to his team colleagues and peers.

Howard met and fell in love with Jeanne Elizabeth Sargent of Glenside, PA. Here they married on September 15, 1956 having a loving marriage of 67 years. Howie and Jeanne raised two sons James Howard and Jeffrey Paul who blessed them with beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a father and mentor, Howard’s exuberance for life and joy of creativity instilled a passion for exploration, and enthusiasm in his sons and all he met. From boating to scouting, building, and designing, he inspired confidence, kindness, integrity, fortitude, loyalty, love, patriotism, nature, and history.

In retirement, they charted a course and journey with family and friends. Moving their life to the Coastal waters on the trawler, named The Seamist. Captain Howie and first mate Jeanne explored coastal waters and the Bahama Islands. Falling in love with the Georgia coast and making homeport Two-way marina. Here they planned a new homeport adventure, building on the marsh and rooting themselves in the McIntosh, countryside. Here community grew into lasting forever friendships. Their chosen church, St Andrews Episcopal, Darien, became their spiritual “rock” in faith, and fellowship.

Here, Howard continued to share his knowledge and kindness, volunteering as a school math mentor, church functions, LAHS, and Golden Isles power squadron.

Howard now sails on with Jesus; he is survived by his loving soulmate Jeanne. Sons, James (Becky) of Jekyll island GA, Jeffery (Carol) of Eagan MN. grandchildren, Justin (Holly) Dawsonville, GA, Mallory (Ty), Newnan, GA, Amy (Michael), Marietta, GA, Jenny (Michael), Beth, St. Paul, MN. Great grandchildren, Caroline, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Josephine, Margaret, Marley, Harrison.

Howard is preceded in death by his mother, father, sister-laws, Margret (Sargent) Shaffert, Nancy Sargent, uncles, aunts, and cousins, and by daughter-in-law, Bonnie Jill (Smith) Klippel.

His extended loving family includes brother-in-law, Tom Shaffert and the many nephews, nieces.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the youth program at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church” Darien, GA.

Jeanne and family will also receive friends at the Belvedere Clubhouse after internment.