Rick Lee Howerton

FEBRUARY 23, 1956 – NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Ricky “Rick” Lee Howerton, age 68, passed away unexpectedly on November 7, 2024 at his home in Simi Valley, California.

Rick, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, was born to Darrell Lee and Beverly Anne Howerton on February 23, 1956 in Redwood City, California. He spent his early childhood in Sunnyvale, California before his family moved to Winnetka, California in 1962. Rick excelled in all academics and sports and played baseball and basketball at Taft High School. He played catcher in the CIF Los Angeles City Section championship game at Dodger Stadium during his senior year. Rick was drafted as the 28th pick by the Cleveland Indians following his high school graduation in 1974. He played Minor League Baseball for four seasons. Following his baseball career, he enjoyed playing recreational racquetball, basketball, softball, and volleyball.

During baseball off-seasons, Rick studied engineering at California State University Northridge (CSUN) and graduated in 1980 with a 4.0 GPA and a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began working while a college student as a research engineer assistant at Lockheed Martin in 1979 and was hired by Rocketdyne the following year upon graduation where he spent the next 44 years of his career. Rick received a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California, summa cum laude, in 1983 and business management certificates from the University of Virginia – Darden School of Business and West Coast University. He enjoyed working as an aerospace engineer and program manager for the International Space Station, space nuclear and power technology programs, solar power, and advanced energy programs. Most recently, Rick served as the Director of Program Management for the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability propulsion system program, a NASA program that certifies space transportation systems to carry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Mutual friends introduced Rick to the love of his life Sandee on a blind date in February 1985. Rick felt an instant connection and was drawn to Sandee’s kind spirit and similar interests and values. He proposed to Sandee on June 12, 1986 in Santa Barbara, California, and they were married at Malibu Presbyterian Church in the summer of 1987. After living in a townhome for a year in Woodland Hills, Rick and Sandee found their forever home in 1988 in a new development in Wood Ranch, Simi Valley, California. They had three daughters, Alexandra Lily (1989), Erica Leigh (1991), and Angela Lindsay (1993), who grew up dancing competitively. Rick affectionately referred to himself as a “Dance Dad,” encouraged his daughters’ passions, and attended all of their performances, competitions, and events.

Rick was a faithful and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who enjoyed spending time with his family, his work, and his community. He cherished dates with his sweetheart Sandee, family vacations, home improvement projects, live and recorded music, going to the movies, game nights, playing with his grandchildren, and helping fix or troubleshoot anything. He marveled at God’s creations – from the mountains and trees to the rain and outer space. He was a dedicated follower of Christ and displayed grace, humility, hope, faith, and love in everything he did. Rick became a member of Malibu Presbyterian Church in 1986 and served as an Elder there for several years. For the past ten years, he sponsored two children in Colombia and Kenya through Compassion International. Rick found great joy in prayerfully following God’s will for his life.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Sandee, his daughters, Alexandra “Lexi” Lily Myerson, Erica Leigh Deseno, and Angela Lindsay Howerton, his sons-in-law, Matthew Deseno and Gregg Myerson, his grandchildren, Kingston Brooks Deseno, Crew Mateo Deseno, Charlotte Faith Myerson, and Lily Brave Deseno, his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Alison Howerton, and his mother-in-law, Lillian Gill. His parents, Darrell and Beverly Howerton, his father-in-law, John Gill, and his sister, Cindy Bruno, precede him in death.

Rick is buried at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks – Griffin Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California. A memorial service will be held in his honor on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 am at Malibu Pacific Church located at 3324 Malibu Canyon Rd in Malibu, California with Pastor Greg Hughes officiating.

His family wishes to extend their gratitude to all those who have known and befriended Rick over his rich, earthly life. We love him, honor him, bless him, and acknowledge God’s timing and His healing as we lift him up to heaven to be with those loved ones who have gone before and to share in the grace of eternal life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.