N. Bruce Howe Jr. died Thursday and those who knew him remember him as someone who was dedicated to the community.
Howe, 95, Warsaw, received the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 49 Order of Kosciuszko award in 2014. The annual award recognizes a veteran who has provided exceptional service to God, country and others in the spirit of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, a Revolutionary War hero. To qualify for the award, a person must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, a Kosciusko County resident for no less than five years and provide exceptional volunteer or public service to others in the county.
Howe recently went on an honor flight to Washington, D.C., with Ken Locke, who was his chaperone.
Locke, Salvation Army community ministries director, remembered Howe as a caring man.
“I’ve known Bruce for 27 years. I was so fortunate to be able to go on the flight to Washington with him and he really rallied for that event,” Locke said. “He was very driven and a very giving person and fully committed to the community.”
Howe served in the U.S. Army and was a member of Warsaw Rotary and a lifelong volunteer for Salvation Army. He served in World War II and earned five battle stars.
He joined the Winona Lake Fire Department in 1938 and served on the department for 65 years. He received the 2010 Bill Reneker Community Service award in Winona Lake.
On April 30, 1956, he saved the lives of two young boys who were trapped in basement of a burning home.
He maintained the legacy of Homer Rodeheaver, and is a past recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award.
He attended events when Evangelist Billy Graham spoke in Winona Lake.
Kent Adams, Winona Lake clerk-treasurer, said after WWII Howe played on the Warsaw Athletic Association on a softball team.
“I used to go over there when I was in junior high and watch him play and he played left field,” Adams said.
Adams said when the ball was hit to left field on the fly, Howe would always catch the ball and never missed it.
“He meant a great deal to the community and was an icon and legend,” Adams said.
John Elliott, Winona Lake resident, said Howe loved the community and lived in Winona Lake almost his entire life.
“When you talked to him he could share with you what the history of our community was,” Elliott said.
Howe’s obituary is pending with McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw.
(Story By The Times Union)
