Robert Timothy Howard

Major General (MG) Robert Timothy Howard died unexpectedly at his home in Springfield, VA on the night of August 11, 2020. He was born in Everett, MA, the second of four brothers, on April 28, 1940, to John and Charlotte Howard. He attended Boston College High School before enrolling in Northeastern University and the ROTC program, where upon graduation he was a Civil Engineer and a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. During his high school years, at the age of 14, he met Ciretta who later became his loving and devoted wife of 59 years. During his military career, both he and his wife worked together to serve our country. While MG Howard served with troops, Ciretta served in friendship, support, and mentoring to countless other Army wives and families throughout their time in the Army.

MG Howard began his 33-year Army career in 1963. He served in successive command and staff assignments with increasing responsibility in the United States, Europe and Asia, including two combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam. At Fort Bragg, he served as commander of a battalion, and then a brigade in the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps respectively. His subsequent assignments included key positions focusing on special programs, systems analysis, modeling and simulation, strategic planning and financial management. In his last active duty assignment, MG Howard served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Army for Budget. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, multiple awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal. He was an Army Ranger and Master Parachutist, who inculcated the Ranger ethos in every unit he commanded, while earning lasting admiration from soldiers of all ranks. MG Howard left the Army a legacy of subsequent senior Army leaders who benefitted from his guidance and example.

He retired from the US Army in 1996 and joined the Cubic Corporation where he served as Vice President and General Manager for programs in support of the United States and foreign governments. This included assisting former communist states in Central/Eastern Europe and the Caucasus with defense reform, restructuring and modernization. After nine years at Cubic Corp., he served as an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Veterans Affairs until his retirement in 2009. He continued to offer his expertise as a consultant with Spectrum Group, Insightful Consulting Services, and ADNET Systems, Inc. for the next 11 years.

His academic experience included service as an assistant professor of mathematics at the US Military Academy and as an adjunct professor for the American University. His graduate education is comprised of an MS in Mathematics from Texas A&M University and an MMAS in Military Art and Science from the Army Command and General Staff National War College.

Major General Howard is survived by his wife, Ciretta, two daughters, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two brothers. He was an avid reader and loved music, history, the outdoors, and traveling. Nicknames included “Project Man” and “Barbed Wire Bob”. He was a dear friend to many and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who will be sadly missed.

He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be shared at www.demainefunerals.com

Due to Covid-19 restrictions Funeral Services in attendance will be private, but please join us virtually on Saturday August 29th starting at 11am at https://www.facebook.com/DemaineFuneral/

Please consider a donation in Bob’s honor to one of his favorite charities:

The Father McKenna Center- https://fathermckennacenter.org/

St. Ann's Center for Children, Youth and Families: https://www.stanns.org/

Wounded Warriors- https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

St. Jude’s- https://www.stjude.org/