Howard Woelfert Blauvelt, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CONOCO, died peacefully at his home in Fulshear, TX on May 22, 2017. He was born February 11, 1917, in New York City of Harry Orlando and Lillian Woelfert Blauvelt, and lived to celebrate his 100th Birthday this year.
Howard grew up primarily in Clinton, Connecticut. Following graduation from Yale University in 1939, Howard received his CPA certification from the State of New York in 1942 and a Masters Degree from Columbia Graduate School of Business Administration in 1943. While attending Columbia, he began his career with the public accounting firm, Hurdman & Cranston, but his career was interrupted by a call to duty. From 1943 to 1946, Howard served his country during World War II as a LT. jg in command of Squadron 8 on Motor Torpedo Boat 122 in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. Upon returning home after the War, Howard resumed his career in accounting with positions at Bayuk Cigars, Inc. and Hanover Bank & Trust Company.
In 1952, Howard accepted an offer from Continental Oil Company (CONOCO) to become their Assistant Controller, which meant moving to Ponca City, Oklahoma, a very long way and big change from New York, but a decision that would prove to be a very good one. Throughout his 27-year career with CONOCO, Howard progressed through several areas of the company including major responsibilities in Chemicals and Coal culminating in his promotion to Chairman and CEO in 1974, a position he held until 1979 when he took early retirement.
Soon after his retirement from CONOCO, Howard moved his family from Greenwich Connecticut to Charlottesville, Virginia, and continued his career another 20 years working as a consultant and corporate director for companies including CONOCO, Abitibi-Price, Inc., Bankers Trust Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, GTE Corporation, General Re Corporation, and Gulf Canada Corporation. He also served on the Board of Directors of Project Orbis, Inc. and National Executive Service Corps.
Currently a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Howard was a member of and served as an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, CT, and also the First Presbyterian Church of Charlottesville, VA. He was active in the United Way of both communities, as well. He served on the Board of Trustees of St. Anne’s Belfield School in Charlottesville.
A passionate golfer, Howard was a member of several golf clubs throughout his life including Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Augusta National Golf Club. Two golfing feats that he found especially satisfying were shooting a 73 at Troon Golf Club (Old Course) in Scotland, during a pouring rain, and a hole-in-one on #16 at Augusta National.
Expecting no more of others than he demanded of himself, Howard was a man of highest integrity. Hard decisions were met head on even when those decisions were not popular and at times personally painful. He was highly respected and known for his attention to detail.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Theodore Blauvelt and Richard Blauvelt; his first wife of 31 years, Margaret Hahn Blauvelt, and their son Harry Blauvelt. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Cassity Blauvelt of the home, their son, Bryan Howard Blauvelt and his wife Rachel; his daughter Margaret Blauvelt Wadds and her husband Robert; his daughter-in-law, Ellen Gale; four grandsons Owen Patrick James Mulligan, Randall Patrick Mulligan, Brantley Howard Blauvelt, and Carter Wesley Blauvelt; two great grandchildren, Avery Margaret Mulligan and Abel Mulligan; as well as two nieces and their children.
The family wishes to thank the following devoted caregivers who provided special care for Howard over the past year: Antonio, Joanna, Tracey, Tinu, Dason and Azuka.
A memorial service to celebrate Howard’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 30th, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX with a reception following.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions can be made in Howard’s memory to Yale University, Class of 1939, P. O. Box 803, New Haven, CT 06503; The Houston Food Bank, 535 Portwall Street, Houston, TX 77029; or The Salvation Army of Houston, 1500 Austin Street, Houston, TX 77002.
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