My name is Robert Wester-Ebbinghaus. I’m a far away relative from Howard from also far away Germany in Verl. When I accidently read about Howards passing away I couldn’t and I didn’t want to believe it!
I met Howard only three times in my live: First, when I was a very young child of maybe 4 or 5 years – I don’t hardly remember at all. 
Second in August 1988, when I was 27 and visited him at his home in Carmel. He and his wife Sally welcomed me very cordially and I stayed some unforgetable days together with them. And I learned for the first time about the Gerson Therapy, which would change my live a lot: I stopped drinking coffee, only some few alcohol and ate also very few meat since then. Many of my friends didn’t understand... 
And my parents for many years started to produce their own daily fresh carot juice often mixed with apples or beet roots. This was not only healthy but also very delicious! Maybe one reason for their being still alive: My mother is 91 and my father 94 years old!
My last meeting with Howard and Sally was in May 2003 - also in Carmel. 
During the last years I often thought about visiting him again, but unfortunately I didn’t make it. 
On one hand Howard was always a very long distance away from me – but on the other hand, I always felt as being close to him. Now as he has passed away, he still and for ever will have his cabin in my heart!
My best wishes to Sally and Leslie,
Robert 


From the notice I received from Sheila Gale I learned of Howard's passing. He was a treasure, a true gentleman and a dear friend. I cannot believe it was over a year ago his life force left us, a loss that cannot be measured in days only in light. He was charismatic, cheerful, passionate and a true blessing for all of us who knew him. Howard I look forward to our reunion. Many blessings.

I just learned of Howard's passing one year later. I am so sad and perplexed as Howard was such a dear friend and colleague. We did dozens of radio interviews together in Monterey and he was such a bright Light to the world!  Always upbeat..positive..happy!!  Love you Howard...a life well lived.RIP

I knew Howard through the Bach Festival during the 80’s and 90’s.  I’m a trombone player with the festival and we sit at the rear of the orchestra, thus, in works involving singers,  the chorus/chorale are behind us. Howard  was a force then and also a super handsome guy.  He always had something to talk about !
I hadn’t seen him for years and then realized that when we moved to Carmel in 2017, we’d moved into the same neighborhood. I often saw him with his beloved white poodle, usually in the back of his Benz station wagon. What’s more, it turns out I saw Howard -from a distance - he was walking into the Hardware store and I was sitting inside CV Roasters working on a script - on his last or second to last day on Earth. I wish I had gotten up to greet him. Rest In Peace, my friend. Deepest condolences to his family.

Howard and I go way back.  In the fall of 1964 we were both hired by IBM in New York working on Wall Street.  While the usual dress code was white shirts and dark suits, Howard showed up in motorcycle togs including a helmet with “USA” on the back.  We roomed together at IBM boot camp.  Over the next three years, we became fast friends and respected colleagues.  Howard’s exceptional mastery of computer programming was very evident.

In 1969, Howard left IBM to attend the Navy’s OCS in Newport Rhode Island.  There he excelled and was given his pick of assignments.  No surprise that he chose the Navy’s Fleet Numeric Center in Montetey.

Fast forward a few years, Howard mustered out of the Navy and joined a startup in Monterey.  He recruited me to come West and join the company.  We worked together closely for over ten years traveling the world to serve foreign clients.  Howard’s modus operandi was total dedication to whatever was his interest at the moment:  Black belt Judo, beautiful women, the Bach Festival, the Waldorf School, computer graphics, barber shop singing, and finally his total dedication to the Gerson Therapy. 

Howard, settled down in a beautiful relationship with Sally. I was privileged to be Howard’s best man.  Howard was a successful tech industry consultant for many years before he assumed the role as spokesman for the well-respected Gerson Therapy.  His buoyant personality and generosity to friends will be sorely missed.

Jonathan Paul

These hours have been flooded with memories since hearing that Howard died.  Howard was an ever present friend since we met one weekend in Pajaro Dunes in 1975.  Words don't begin to capture the breadth of our times together, while I know that Howard had dimensions in song, sport, science and technology that were outside the range we shared.  I am proud to call him "friend", and know that the song of the universe is somewhat dampened by his being mute.  Thank you, Howard.  You were the embodiment of a life well lived, a heart ever growing in capacity, and a brother as much as the word means.  Blessings to Sally. 

I met Howard two short years ago when I joined the Cypressaires. As someone who had just started singing - very inexperienced - our music director placed me next to Howard and my life was changed forever. How could it not be when I was standing next to and singing with someone who had some 60 years of experience singing. Howard was my mentor and helped me improve my singing. He was always providing tips and pointers that would help me become a better singer. 

We have "learning tracks" which help us learn the songs we perform and are very helpful. There were times we might not have a learning track, and I would record us singing the song and I would ALWAYS point the microphone towards Howard. His deep booming voice, and accurate singing of the song made a perfect learning track. I still enjoy listening to him sing those songs and when I hear it I keep imagining him walking through our rehearsal doors, bigger than life.

But as many have pointed out, Howard not only loved singing, he also wanted to help everybody. Not very long ago I mentioned some of my health issues to Howard and he told me he needed to bring me some information. Since this was a weekend, I told him he could just bring it to rehearsal on Tuesday, but he insisted on bringing it that day. The day in which they had closed a lane on Highway 1 for tree trimming which caused him to sit in traffic for an extra 30-45 minutes. But that wasn't important. What was important was for Howard to provide me with information as soon as possible and that it would make me better.
It's hard to believe I met him only 2 years ago. He made me feel as if I had known him my entire life. I miss him, but am sure he is singing in God's barbershop chorus right now. 
Howard, my friend, kind, compassionate, caring. I am looking forward to singing with you again in the future.


A nice memory of Howard on his last day.  From Brian Arbor of the Cypressaires.

Brothers,

I just want to share a fond memory.

I had the privilege of singing with Howard on Sunday just hours before he passed away.

A few of us got together in the late afternoon for some quartet singing in the Monterey heat wave.

We started with a cup of hot tea, as is our tradition. Howard looked through the options and chose Peppermint with a little honey, reminding us that peppermint is good for digestion. He was like that - always finding small ways to remind us to take care of ourselves and sharing his vast knowledge of holistic/alternative health practices. Constantly nudging about being mindful and allowing the body to do it's work.

We sang out in the shade under a huge old oak tree, enjoying a slight breeze, and watching the oak moths flit around. They kept landing on us, crawling into my music folder, and disrupting rehearsal, but it was a beautiful and peaceful setting.

We learned and sang a few tags - The Impossible Dream (Unreachable Star) and Give me Your Hand. Then we sang Home on the Range, which was one how Howard's favorites.

It was a few hours of singing, learning, teasing each other, making jokes, and telling stories.

We closed with One More Song.

   One more song, let's sing one more song
   Let the memories linger on and on
   Till we meet, till we meet and sing
   One more song

We parted ways, as we always did, with a warm smile and a firm handshake.

I'm so thankful to have had that afternoon with him - to have spent some of his final hours with him - together in harmony.

Howard - we will remember you and miss you. Until we meet again and sing one more song.

---Brian

I met Howard when we were founding the Waldorf School of the Monterey Peninsula in 1985. He was our walkin', talkin' example of how a Waldorf student turns out. Major at MIT in Physics ( if I remember correctly) and sang in the Bach Festival for 20 years. That was the balance of the arts and sciences that is the benefit of this type of education. Howard was always there to help us with projects, talk about his experiences as a student of the Steiner School in NYC, and of course, shared his immense knowledge about health and the contributions of his extraordinary grandfather Max Gerson and his mother Charlotte Gerson. Our family practiced the Gerson diet for some time to augment our already healthy lifestyle.
   As the years went by I would run into him here and there, always vibrant, extraverted, enthusiastic about whatever he was into at the time. Most recently he presented in the last year at our Carmel Valley Rotary Club on health and then sang several times with his CypressAires singing group.
   We have lost a real star, and I am grateful for having known him. His smile will radiate in my heart forever. Love to Sally and much support at this sad time and always.

               My Pal Howard Straus,
Howard Straus was a good pal of mine, 
He was a good pal of yours and of all mankind,
Because he cared and because he shared,
He shared in whatever he had done,
He shared his affectation and then some,
He shared the wide wisdom he had,
He shared his humor that made you glad,
He shared his medical knowledge about the earth,
He shared the benefits of grounding to the turf,
He shared the comedy and funny accents he could do,
Ha shared the laughter and camaraderie with you,
He shared his beautiful deep bass voice in song,
He shared that welcome feeling that you belong,
And he shared his handshake big and strong,
Howard Straus was a mentor to every guy and gal,
We're all going to miss you, dear, dear pal.
Joe Pintacura, 
Howard and I sang with the Monterey 
Cypressaires Chorus & Quartets




I first met Howard in the late 1980's and he captivated me with his bright mind and powerhouse personality.   He was a good friend to me and changed my life for the better.  I wish Sally all the best.

Howard was a fellow New Yorker and a true gentleman.  I treasure the hours we had singing at rehearsals and to the public.

Frequently reminded to button that bottom button of the vest, lovingly!

The first time I met Howard, I was so impressed by his passion and knowledge on the subject of health and helping people.  He not only preached it, he lived it 110%.  
Thank you Howard for always being a phone call away to give my sick friend advice on how to get healthy.  I will never forget your genuine heart.
God blessed us with your life, and I am thankful for that. See you in heaven.
-Michael

 My wife and I met Howard twice and that was enough to know His kindred spirit, a very kind man.

A FORCE for good has gone. 
 Howard wrote me after his mom died and said he had received over 2000 messages and what a legacy he had to live up to.
Believe me.  HE DID in his own unique way.
Howard is one of my closest friends!  as I say that I wonder how many people feel the same way. 
A noble, gentle, fun guy who always had time for those in need.
and a great singer and true friend.
I am so thrilled to have known you for so many years.  I am a MUCH better person for it.
I send loving prayers for all of his family and friends like me who are deeply saddened at losing such a wonderful being.

Love you Howard.  All ways.
Belinda

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Howard David Straus

23 mai 1943 – 9 juin 2019

The Paul Mortuary

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