Nelson Arthur Howard

HOMES: Chicago, Illinois (1906-1911); Piedmont, California(1911-1921); Taft School, Watertown, Connecticut (1921-1926); Yale, New Haven, Connecticut (1926-1929); Pasadena, California (1921-1939);Houston, Texas (1939-1942); Navy (1942-1945) Sitka, Alaska, Adak, Aleutian Islands, Ream Field San Diego, California; Pasadena, California (1945-1968); Santa Barbara, California (1968-2005).

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA: Mother died after an accident when an infant, early years cared for by his Aunt Sarah Howard until his father married his stepmother, Natalie Rand, the only mother he ever knew. She was awonderful woman and loved him like her own son. Spent happy childhood in Piedmont, California. Sent to prep school in Connecticut at age 13 (Taft School) and then Yale where he graduated in 1929. Married the sister of a classmate in July of that year and moved back to Pasadena, California where the depression was just gaining momentum. Worked for GMAC until laid off in 1932 due to the depression. Worked in chemicals for many years thereafter for the American Cyanamid Company in Azusa, California. Worked on research projects developing chemical products for use in the growing petroleum industry. Traveled quite abit throughout the country in this capacity. Lived in Houston, Texas for four years to further this business. Enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the islands near Alaska. After being discharged from the Navy, moved back to Pasadena, California and started the Nelson Howard Company supplying oil companies with oil well washing compounds. Dissolved this company during the Korean War, paying off the stockholders handsomely, because a key ingredient became unavailable due to the war. Began the Nelson A. Howard Co. Manufacturer's Representative as a sales representative for the West Coast of Patent Chemical from Patterson, New Jersey and the JeffersonChemical Company. Retired from this company in 1968.

Hobbies throughout the years include tennis, golf, flying airplanes, fly fishing and civic activities. He is well-respected in the community and has held many civic appointments including Head of the Industrial Division for Community Chest in Pasadena, Director of Planned Parenthood in Pasadena, Director of the LA Civic Light Opera Association, Director of the LA Soap Company, Director of Santa Anita Race Track, Chairman of the State Social Welfare Board under GovernorReagan, Chairman of the Board of Northrop University. He is currently active with the Boy's Club of Santa Barbara and helps many youngsters to focus on a career, counseling them and encouraging them to stay in school. He also continues his education, taking a course or two every semester at the local college. He has many wonderful enduring friendships, the most important of which is his wife of 62 years, Betty. His children and grandchildren also consider him a valued friend and he is very active in advice - giving to all 14 various progeny.

Many wonderful family vacations have been attended by the growing list of descendants, including Maui, Hawaii for his 50th wedding anniversary, and Alisal Ranch. Family is probably the most important thing in the world to Nelson Howard and he is well-loved by them all. He and Betty keep a very busy social schedule, tiring to most people much younger. They still walk together every day and travel usually twice a year. They have traveled all over the world, mostly on cruise ships and tours. Their fly-fishing trips to Idaho, Colorado and Northern California are still enjoyed by them both. They both read novels voraciously and drive down to the Newport Beach area often to see their great grandchildren. The entire family consider them both an inspiration and hope to attain their energy and enthusiasm for life at 85 years old. Life without him seems inconceivable to this writer, his grand daughter, Gina Sammis.