Dr. Charles "Chuck" Howard

Oregon's biggest Ohio State Buckeye Fan left this earth unexpectedly early Sunday morning, July 18, 2021, after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Chuck was born in Lima, Ohio on September 10, 1949. Shortly after his birth, his parents Fred and Cleora Howard moved to the Columbus area to complete his father's teaching degree. Chuck attended Windermere Elementary School, Upper Arlington Middle School and graduated from Upper Arlington High School. Chuck received a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology from Ohio State University where he was also a varsity swimmer and competed in the NCAA National Championships. He graduated from The Ohio State College of Dentistry in 1975.

Dr. Howard started his dental practice in Salem in 1977 and retired in April, 2016. He was a dedicated professional and committed life-long learner who strove to provide optimal care for every patient. He was an esteemed member of several dental associations and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. He participated in study clubs throughout his career and regularly volunteered his time and services with a number of charitable organizations.

Chuck married Jo Carmean on September 22, 1973, while attending dental school. After graduation, he and Jo moved to Oregon to make the most of the Pacific Northwest's outdoor paradise. When not creating healthy smiles, his life passions were photography, hiking, woodworking, cheering on the Buckeyes, and bearing witness to the evolution of music with an eclectic record collection. His most treasured role was as a devoted husband and father to his children, Andrew and Julie, as well as "Pop Pop" to his two granddaughters and "Zoom Zoom Gramps" to his two grandsons. Chuck was an avid traveler, with destinations including the Virgin Islands, Europe and most recently New Zealand, where he and Jo enjoyed many months chasing summer and looking after their grandson. He was a long-time member of a "Gourmet Group" of friends, and savoured good food, good wine and the occasional whiskey.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jo; his son Andrew and wife Ashley, their two daughters Gray and Scarlet of Salem; his daughter Julie and husband Michael Lewis, their two sons Campbell and Oscar of New Zealand. He is also survived by two sisters, Dana (Dick) of Newburg, Maryland and Gloria (Tom) of Milford Center, Ohio, and two nieces and two nephews. He will be greatly missed for his gentle soul, uncommon intellect, subtle humour and abiding integrity.

Thanks to emerging research, Chuck was able to fight for and enjoy a 10-year remission from a 2010 diagnosis of Stage IV Melanoma, and he and his family passionately supported the research efforts of the Providence Cancer Institute for a number of years. His family asks that gifts made in Chuck's memory go to the Cancer Research Fund held at the Providence St. Vincent Foundation. Mailing Address: Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, Unit 80, P.O. Box 4800, Portland, OR 97208-4800. Online: https://give.providencefoundations.org/stvincent or by Phone: 503-216-2227.

No services will be held at this time.