George Edward Howe

August 18, 1941 — August 19, 2026

George Edward Howe, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away at his home on August 19, 2026, at the age of 85. Born on August 18, 1941, in Indianapolis, Indiana, George was the son of Edward and Lee Atta Howe.

He shared a beautiful life with his wife, Sharon Howe, whom he married in 1978. Over their 48 years together, they nurtured a loving family and embraced a life filled with many adventures, laughter, and love. George was a devoted father to his children, Summer Howe and Dave Stephenson.

George was known for his kindness, dedication to his family, passion for education, love of the outdoors, and his enduring enthusiasm for skiing. He found great joy in sharing his love for skiing, never missing an opportunity to hit the slopes and seek the powder with his family and friends at all his favorite mountains - Big Mountain, Big Sky, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbowl, Marshall Mountain, and heli skiing in Canada. He taught his family and countless others the love of the sport as a ski instructor at Marshall for nearly 20 years.

George shared his passions generously. Whether behind the wheel of his beloved Nissan 360Z, or dancing with Sharon to a country song, George lived with gusto and joy. He was always ready with a perfectly timed dad joke, comfort, or good advice. His ability to make everyone feel valued and important was a gift to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Raised by teachers, George had great respect for education and learning. He was a devoted college football fan and proudly championed the teams of his alma maters. George held a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University, a Master of Science from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in Forest Genetics from Michigan State University. During his 32 years with the Forest Service, George was instrumental in pioneering tree improvement programs, ensuring the health and vitality of our forests for generations to come. His love for nature and the outdoors left an indelible mark on the environment and his family.

George adored his grandchildren—Sophie Stephenson, Bella Stephenson, and Bjorn Schlichting—and his love for skiing, education, nature, and family lives on through them. George was preceded in death by his son, Lewis.

George's life will be celebrated with a private memorial in Seattle, Washington.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Treehouseforkids.org, one of George's favorite charities.