Howard Butler, age 103 died on Friday, June 19, 2020 due to injuries sustained in a fall. Howard was born on October 14, 1916 in Cranston, Rhode Island, the son of the late Pearl (Dow) Butler and Charles Butler. He was married to the late Doris (Vale) Butler until her death in 2015, for seventy-four years.
Howard was graduated from Cranston High School and attended the University of Rhode Island where he earned BSME in 1940. As he entered his career in engineering in 1941,at the University of Connecticut, he also started his family life. Howard continued to teach at the University of Connecticut as he studied for his Masters degree, which he received in 1952 from Yale University. His next goal was to continue to teach, become involved with research for his dissertation for a PhD. in Mechanical Engineering. As a full professor, he accomplished that goal in 1958.
Howard’s career path brought him to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Hartford Graduate Center in 1958 where he assisted graduate students with their dissertations and theses, while he continued teaching courses there. He remained at R.P.I. for eight years.
The next career move was as Chairman of the Engineering Department at West Virginia where he supervised and developed graduate courses, research projects and served on many university committees. While in West Virginia, Howard travelled extensively both for pleasure and attending symposiums held in his field. He published many articles and presented his work during this period. In 1977, Howard retired from W.Va. and returned to Rhode Island where he started sailing his wooden boats, the Calypso and the White Jacket. He loved Narragansett Bay where he sailed often enjoying “his water” with family and friends.
I n his wake Howard leaves four children : Pamela Schott of Austin, Texas, Brenda O’Connor of Glastonbury, Janet Butler of Austin, Texas and Thomas Butler of Burgas, North Carolina. He also leaves five grandchildren, Whitney and husband Christian Pardo-Schott, Colin Schott and wife Mercy, Sean O’Connor and wife Jill, Marlee Butler and fiancé Andrew, and Daniel Butler. There are six great grandchildren who will miss their special and long living great grandfather as well, Noah Pardo-Schott, Simon Pardo-Schott, Rosanna Pardo- Schott, twins,Liam and Shane O’Connor And Gabriela Schott.
Howard was highly respected by his colleagues, his friends, and his family. He will be missed by many.
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