Alan B. Howard

Alan Blair Howard died at Greentree Farm in Albemarle County, VA, on August 26, 2024. He was 85.

Alan was born on March 4, 1939, in Denver, CO, the oldest child of Winston and Marguerite Howard. He grew up primarily in Littleton, near Denver. As a child, Alan had trouble reading, and some of his first teachers thought he had limited promise. Turns out, he was dyslexic. Despite this handicap, or maybe because of it, Alan graduated from Princeton University, where he rowed crew, played rugby, and joined Cap & Gown. His senior year roommate was his wife!

He earned his PhD in English from Stanford. He became a professor of English at the University of Virginia for almost four decades and for one year taught in Australia as a Fulbright Scholar. He loved to teach, and many students loved his teaching. Alan introduced students to a wide range of American authors, from Cotton Mather to Toni Morrison. He also started a master's degree program in American Studies for students who wanted to work outside academia, such as in publishing or museums. Alan was an early advocate of the digital humanities, and his students created websites that combined literature and history.

One job was not enough. While teaching, Alan tapped his Colorado roots to become a cattle farmer. He cleared fields, baled hay, hauled grain, repaired fence, and herded Angus with an enthusiasm that his teenage sons never fully understood (though Alan gave them multiple opportunities). He felt equally at home with William Faulkner and John Deere. After he retired from teaching, Alan stayed on the farm to be close to the land he loved.

Besides reading, teaching, and farming, Alan loved his family, blue jeans, dogs, old maps, UVA sports, and chocolate-covered cherries.

Alan is survived by his sister, Joan Maclachlan, Parker, CO; his son, Chris Howard and wife, Dee Holmes, Williamsburg, VA; his son, Kevin Howard and wife, Beth Howard, Arlington, VA; five grandchildren, Stephen, Adam, Julia, Allison, and Eliza; ex-wife and lifelong friend, Alice Howard; ex-wife, Peg Miller; and Sherree Tannen, who took great care of him during his last years. In ways large and small, Alan's life reminds us that principled and stubborn can be two sides of the same coin.

Alan did not want funeral services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the American Lung Association or a charity of your choice.

Posted 9/9/24

Howard G. Pontius

Howard G. “Tod” Pontius, 84, passed away on August 12, 2024 from complications of diabetes.

Tod was born on May 26, 1940 in Schenectady, NY to James Wilson Pontius and Kathryn Sharp Pontius. He graduated as Valedictorian from Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady, NY in 1957, and from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University in 1961, where he ate at Campus Club, served as president of Whig-Clio, and of the Princeton senate, and joined the Westminster Foundation.

He entered the burgeoning field of computer software management: during his professional life, he worked for IBM, Turnkey Systems, Pontius Capital Corporation, The Continuum Corporation, Computer Sciences Corporation, and Northrop Grumman. He took great pride in opening the Tokyo, Japan office for Continuum in 1989, before moving to Austin, TX in 1993, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

Tod had a private pilot license and had memorable trips with his older four children to Alaska, California and Nova Scotia, among others. He was a lifelong Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan and enjoyed watching games on TV and attending games at “The Jake” with his extended family for his 60th and 70th birthdays. He loved spending Friday nights at Westlake High School football games, where his three younger children performed with the Hyline Dance Team and the Chaparral Marching Band. After retirement, he rediscovered his love of bridge, and playing with his partner Kate, he achieved the rank of Silver Life Master. They traveled the Northwest visiting Oregon, Washington, and Canada.

Tod is survived by his life partner, Kathleen (Kate) Adams, his seven children and their partners: James (Jim) Pontius & Candy Masters, Kathryn (Corby) & Tom Jacobs, Margery (Penny) & Peter Cannici, Roswell (Bailey) & Amy Pontius, Pamela Pontius & Gregory Rankin, Elizabeth (Beth) Pontius & Andrew Clark, and Nancy Pontius & Kevin Becker; fourteen grandchildren: Andrew and Rebecca Pontius; Benjamin and Aliza Jacobs; Peter, Kelly, and Colin Cannici; Emma and Avery Pontius; William, Patrick (Patch) and Ian Rankin; and Nathaniel and Cassidy Becker; sisters Janne (and Stan) Mathes and Carolyn Tail, and his brother Jon (and Teresa) Pontius, as well as his nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered as sweet, loving and brilliant, and his wit and humor will be missed. A Celebration of Life was held at Belmont Village, Westlake Hills, on Sunday, August 25.

Posted 9/2/24