David Keith Howe

David was born on January 13th, 1941 to Vernon and Ruth (Jenks) Howe in Orange, Massachusetts. He is predeceased by his parents, a brother Robert Charles Howe, a sister Katherine Louisa (Howe) Sims, and younger brother William Richard Howe. While working at the Northfield Hotel and Chateau as a busboy he developed a friendship with his long-time sweetheart, a waitress. In 1958, he left Massachusetts and began a 21-year career in the U.S. Navy.

After completing basic training at Naval Training and Readiness Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, David went to Clarksville, Tennessee, for engineering school and proceeded to his first duty station at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, in March 1959.

In September 1960 he married the former Jessica Walker of Northfield, Massachusetts. They were married in Folkston, Georgia. The couple honeymooned in Playa de Naguabo, Puerto Rico. At the time of his death, they were looking forward to their 61st wedding anniversary.

David, Jr. was born in 1961 in Saturce, Puerto, and in 1962 their second child, Sharon was born in Key West, Florida. In 1970 a second son, William, was also born in Key West.

David transferred to the USS Peregrine (EMSF-373) based in Key West, Florida, in 1962 and was part of the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. His next duty station was at Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico and then transferred to Isabela Navy Station in Isabela, Puerto Rico, in 1965. He served in Vietnam, 1968-1969 on the Barracks Ship (APL-30) servicing the swift river boats.

He earned a Navy Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (both with a “V” for Valor), Combat Action ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal (with two silver stars).

After Vietnam, David was again stationed at Naval Station Key West, Florida. In 1971 he graduated school for Shore-Based Nuclear Power at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was transferred to Kagnew Station, Naval Communication Station Asmara, Ethiopia/Eritrea, where he served 1971-1974 as the Senior Enlisted Leader and Chief of Shore-Based Power at the Gura Power Plant.

From there he was stationed at Naval Station, New London, Connecticut and was to attached the USS Sunbird (ASR-15) 1974-1975. His last duty station was from 1975-1978, at Naval Underwater Systems Center (NUSC) Newport, Rhode Island, where he was also part of the naval support group for Tall Ships in 1976. He retired from the Navy, in Newport in July 1978 after serving for 21 years

He began his second career as Warranty Analyst at Pantropic Power Products in Miami, Florida, and in 1982 they welcomed another beautiful daughter, Jennifer. Moving to Martin County Florida in 1991, David worked for Marine Diesel as Service Manager and later retired from Dietz Electric in Rio, Florida.

David was very proud of his four children, his nine grandchildren, and his 23 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at a further date.

MAY GOD GRANT YOU FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS.