Howard L. Smith, Jr.

Howard grew up down the shore in Ocean Grove, NJ. When he wasn’t making fun of the “Benny’s” invading his local beach, Howard was an accomplished football player on both sides of the ball, worked in his father’s hardware store, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Howard always loved to help people and to travel, both traits that were certainly reinforced as a Scout, though the World Scout Jamboree in Japan during Typhoon Olive is probably one trip his parents would have preferred he skipped.

Those who knew Howard undoubtedly know that he graduated from Bucknell University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, due to his propensity to wear at least one piece of Bucknell clothing wherever he went (even during formal occasions he would try to sneak in an orange and blue tie). It was there he met the love of his life, Judy, whom he married on July 10, 1982. The two of them eventually settled in River Vale, NJ, where they grew their family. During this time, he also received an MBA from Rutgers University.

Perhaps accidentally breaking a lamp celebrating a touchdown isn’t the most traditional way to impress your new father-in-law, but it demonstrated a passion for sports that he passed along to his family. He showed a little more tact for his mother-in-law, asking her for advice on how to bake his wife a birthday cake, rather than his own mother, taking the expression “earning brownie points” quite literally.

Howard kept involved in the local community, both by coaching his children’s various youth sports teams, and by volunteering at his church in many different capacities. Every Thanksgiving, he made it a point to donate not just a turkey, but an entire meal to families in need.

Similar to his childhood, he loved to travel and experience nature with his family, with Yellowstone National Park a big highlight and more recently Iguazu Falls in Brazil. He also loved history, and Williamsburg, VA was a favorite destination of he and his wife, where they went to celebrate his retirement.

Howard is survived by his wife, Judith Heaton Smith, their children, Elizabeth Anne Dietz (Mark Dietz), and Howard Louis Smith III (Renata Bittencourt Smith), and is expecting his first grandchild, Rebecca Smith. He is also survived by his father, Howard Smith Sr. and his sister, Judy Rector.

Howard was a great friend and mentor who was loved by all who knew him. A viewing will be held on Sunday, September 10th from 2 pm to 6 pm at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood, NJ. A memorial service will be held on Monday, September 11th at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org or a charity of your choice in Howard’s honor.