Howard was born on August 3, 1943, to Margaret Edwards Skipper and Howard Earle Skipper, Sr. at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. Then, when his father served overseas, Howard and his mother lived briefly with her parents in Lakeland, Florida. The family came to Birmingham in 1946 when Howard Sr. accepted a position at Southern Research Institute.
Howard was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his sister, Ann Skipper (Lawrence Willson) of Birmingham, and nephews Matthew Willson (Kathryn) of Montgomery, Alabama, and Booth Willson (Brittany) of The Dalles, Oregon.
After Army basic training and then additional missile training at Fort Bliss, Howard was stationed in Germany where he had the opportunity to travel in Germany and beyond. After returning to the United States he graduated from Athens College.
He discovered a love of bicycle riding and racing and was involved in almost every aspect of cycling. By the mid-1990’s he had completed his one hundredth one hundred mile ride. He participated in rides and races around the country and beyond, and faithfully watched the Tour de France—one year in person.
He was a founding member of the Birmingham Bicycle Club, working with it and the League of American Wheelmen (now the League of American Bicyclists) to promote safe cycling and enjoyment of the sport. He urged state and local governments to accommodate the needs of bicycles on the roads. His humor and talent for writing were apparent in his many articles in “The Spokesman”, the Bicycle Club’s newsletter. He organized and provided support for all types of cycling events, competitive and recreational. He led and provided sag wagons for bicycle rides for all ages, and was noted for the help he provided to beginners.
At a relatively early age, his dementia began and his decline lasted for over a decade. During his life Howard was a kind and devoted son, brother, uncle and friend. He died on November 26, 2020. A private family graveside service was held at Elmwood Cemetery on November 30. For those who wish to make a memorial donation, suggested recipients are the League of American Bicyclists and Southern Research in support of neuroscience research.
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