Howard 
We miss you. You will always be a part of our lives.
Love Lee and Dee Slavutin

Tonight is the Yahrzeit for Howard on the Jewish calendar. May his Neshamah (soul) continue to ascend in the Heavens above.

There are moments I smile when thinking about dancing with Howard, including the laughter  we shared about living in  Brooklyn.   He was a man who made my life easier with the information he gave me and I will always have a thank you in my heart for that.

The best to his family, Roni, Cody and Jason.   Always remember the good times.... it is easier.   Enjoy the holidays.   My best to all of you.  Joy Venegas

Gone but not forgotten- "Howard was right!"

Howard we miss you. Always enjoyed so much your one day seminar on the 9 key things we need to know and do to be great insurance advisors. My favorite segment was the Vince Lombardi video - second effort.
Love from Lee, Dee and Ina.

Howard (Uncle Howard)  was someone I admired and who always simplified things for me "Andrew why don't you just play music? It's what you do, it's what your father always did so do it!"
May he rest gently.  Prayers to Roni and Cody.

Howard we miss you.
Love Lee and Dee Slavutin

You are missed Howard. I hope that Roni, Cody and Jason know they are  are always in my thoughts and great wishes for a warm and love giving holiday caaled Thanksgiving. I give you all my love.  Joy

I had the pleasure of working under Howard for 3 years.
I’d say he was part of the last generation to make cold-calling and door-2-door sales effective, prior to caller I.D. and corporate lobby security.

His agent retention rate was 5% higher than the national average.
I remember when he was gracious enough to open his home and host a party, even to those struggling to earn a living.

When Howard stepped down as agency head, many agents were forced to leave the business, including myself. A sad time after both Howard and those agents had put everything they had into growing their business.

Emulating Howard’s work ethic, I came to work the day after getting married, and the day after my grandmother passed away. I only wish it had been worth it.

On my last day, he took a moment to ask whether my next job would include a salary, which it did. He replied, “good.” At least I wasn’t going to remain broke for long.

I’ll never forget those years, or the fact that you can work 12-16 hours a day, still still face life and economic challenges.

Oh Roni, I am so sorry to hear about Howard.  I still remember him training me in your home in the evening, to accommodate my getting into the financial industry within the time frame I could spare at that juncture. He was a tough task master but someone who boosted my success in business. Lot's of interesting memories in the 40 yrs. I knew him.  Hope he didn't suffer much and is now at peace.

Deepest condolences,
Cheryl Stuart

Everything about howard was impeccable. From his fingernails to his suits to his listening skills to his encouragement. He epitomized the discipline required for excellence. It was always a thrill to hear the year-end results and know that we were part of the Cowan  agency that represented growth, achievement, leadership. 

Someone at the funeral service  said that Howard was "one of a kind."
I have heard that said about other people, but Howard Cowan is REALLY one of a kind. My wife Dee, my partner Ina and I started as insurance agents in Howard's agency in 1990. We had been looking at a number of different agencies and, in retrospect, we are so glad we chose Howard's agency. One of my sweetest memories is the all day training event Howard created called "9 Steps to Success." He did this once a year. The highlight was watching a video of the famous football coach Vince Lombardi, who was so dedicated and committed to greatness, and is possibly the greatest football coach of all time.
Well, Howard is the Vince Lombardi of life insurance. I think Howard is smiling at this moment, he really admired Vince Lombardi. Howard had a commitment to be great and the necessary discipline that is very rarely seen.
Howard, we love you, we miss you, your values and legacy will never be forgotten.
Lee and Dee Slavutin and Ina Stern.

Howard and I saw each other every week for over 5  years. I looked forward to every encounter because I knew I would hear an incredible story about him conquering a business opportunity,  how he helped someone get out of their own way and be better,  I would get to  hear the pure pride in his voice telling me a story about Cody in his younger years, we would laugh over a great dinner him and Roni had or I would get to admire his incredible altruism as he told me about his soup kitchen and his Secret Santa adventures.  Howard was not only a friend but he treated me like family. He was always so generous with his time, his brilliant advice and in sharing his "toys". He would go above and beyond for those he loved.  I am so grateful for my time with Howard and I will truly miss him, and  his great hats. I love you Howard and although we lost you you will never be forgotten for you are in our hearts. There will not be a day that goes by that your advice will not help me through 

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Howard.  As an underwriter at MassMutual, it was privilege to work closely with Howard and his staff.  He was a true gentleman.  I'll always cherish his annual agency parties and the year he invited Gail and I to join him for breakfast at his apartment.   rej
  

Friends, fun and lots of food…
Way back when in the ‘70’s….

Dear Howard,

We were often the earliest birds in the office, where I had the privilege of watching you shape timid insecure people into self confidant success stories who provided invaluable services to families and businesses.

Whether playing on your boat, your motorcycle (OMG), or arguing some finer point...it was always my pleasure to be in your and Roni's company.

To your wonderful family, and the son who took over your life, I send my deepest condolences and hopes that the best of you will live on in Roni and Cody.
With love & respect, Lisa Beers

Group dinner earlier this year. It was great, as always to see my dear, longtime friend Howard.  We reminisced about memories from Fire Island. He found pictures from 1972!

I will miss him. 



Another fun group dinner.  Always wonderful spending time together rehashing old memories and sharing new happenings.

An older dinner with our group of old friends.  We always shared great food, fun times, lots of memories and laughs.

I've know Howard in the Insurance industry for over 4 decades as a true professional to both the industry and his family. Our condolences to his wife Roni, his son Cody and everyone close. Howard will be missed. 

We were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Howard. We will always have great memories of our fun times together in Westhampton. If not for captain Howard, we would still be floating around looking for fire Island. Rest In Peace, Marsha and Richard

I met Howard because of our work together at the USTA Foundation. For over 20 years, Howard helped guide the foundation to a pathway to help more kids all over the country. RIP dear Howard.  I am happy our paths crossed because of tennis.  Condolences to all of Howard’s Family. 
Best,  Pam Shriver 

Dear Roni,
Roni, I am not sure if you remember but it is Howard who had convinced me to take this annuity which had saved my financial life and has allowed me to safely survive for the rest of my days to come.  There wasn't a time I missed  to thank Howard for this gift.  He always took time to listen to Andrew when he was at his height of insanity.  It was Howard  who danced a Lindy with me one or two times bringing back those Brooklyn years.    I will take the liberty to say Howard and you  are blessed to have shared many years of experiences as you built your family life together and created memories.    I know that Cody will treasure the stories,  the laughter and the tears he shared with his Dad.  I hold the both of you, Roni and Cody, close to my heart. I   hope you can celebrate the life you made and shared with each other as a family.   Family, the true treasure in life, you have been blessed.  With love, Joy

As a long-time and caring Board member, Howard played an essential role in the USTA Foundation.  He not only helped formulate the original mission of the organization, but he also secured significant funds to fuel its charitable efforts.  Howard cared deeply about helping others, and his legacy will live on in the hundreds of thousands of youth impacted by his generosity across the country. 

Howard introduced me to “real” sushi.  I will truly miss our lunches, trusting him with what I ate 🙂, while brainstorming ways to impact youth through tennis and education.  My heart goes out to Roni and Cody.  Your husband/father is a great man!

OBITUARY

Howard Cowan

November 17, 1942 – November 13, 2022

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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