[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7539-S7540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING DR. RICHARD HOWARD

 Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a proud West 
Virginian, noble veteran, a beloved son, brother, uncle, godfather, 
great-uncle, and a dear friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing 
him. It is a privilege to recognize the life and legacy of a very dear 
friend to myself and Gayle, Dr. Richard Howard, for his many years of 
dedicated service to the city of Charleston and beyond.
  Born and raised in Charleston, WV, Richard attended West Virginia 
University, where he achieved many distinctions as a member of the 
National Blue Key, Helvetia, Sphinx and president of the freshman class 
in 1960. He received early acceptance into the West Virginia University 
School of Dentistry, earning his doctor of dental surgery degree in 
1967. Put simply, when Richard put his mind to something, there was no 
stopping him from doing it at 100 percent.
  That mentality worked in his favor as he joined the U.S. Air Force as 
a captain, stationed during the Vietnam era at Dover Air Force Base. 
Following his honorable discharge, Richard returned to Charleston to 
start his long-tenured career in dentistry. After a year as a partner 
with a local dental office, Richard set up his own practice as Howard 
Family Dentistry, later known as a joint venture with his brother as 
Howard and Howard Family Dentistry.
  There is a lot to be said of someone who bravely serves our Nation, 
then returns home to continue giving back to the community that made 
them who they are. When visitors come to West Virginia, I jump at the 
chance to tell them we have fought in more wars, shed more blood, and 
lost more lives for the cause of freedom than most any State. We have 
always done the heavy lifting and never complained. We have mined the 
coal and forged the steel that built the guns, ships, and factories 
that have protected and continue to protect our country to this day. I 
am so deeply proud of what West Virginians have accomplished and what 
they will continue to accomplish to protect the freedoms we hold dear. 
That is Richard's legacy, and his courage, loyalty, and humility will 
never be forgotten.
  Richard was deeply involved in the community through the Kanawha 
Valley Dental Association, the West Virginia Dental Association, the 
American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentists, the 
International College of Dentists, and was founder and twice-serving 
president of the Virginia Street Dental Study Club. He was a member of 
the Beni Kedem Shrine, the Legion of Honor, Shrine Jesters, a 32 degree 
Mason, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Charleston Symphony, the 
Charleston Community Music Association, and the West Virginia 
University Woodburn Circle of Honor. Richard was a major supporter of 
his church, St. George Orthodox Cathedral, of which he was knight in 
the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.
  Richard had such a zest for life and was a true renaissance man in 
every sense of the word. Each challenge he took on, he conquered, and 
he did so with unparalleled generosity, humility, and leadership. When 
his father passed away, Richard truly stepped up as the family 
patriarch. He adored his siblings and his entire family, always willing 
to offer advice. He would be honest with you if you were wrong, but his 
judgement was always fair. His bright smile and vibrant personality 
made any occasion even more special. His accomplishments are endless 
and he was an inspiration to all. He is dearly missed.
  Put simply, Richard represented the very best of West Virginia, which 
is saying quite a lot. In the Mountain State, if you are hungry you 
will be fed. If you are lost, someone will not only give you directions 
but will offer to drive you to your destination. That is just who we 
are, and that is who Richard was. We have lost a shining star in our 
home State's capital, but his impact on the lives of his patients and 
his passion for this special community will last forever. It was an 
honor to have known him and to call him my friend.
  What is most important is that Richard lived a full and accomplished 
life, surrounded by dear friends and family. It is my hope that his 
loved ones are able to find peace, strength, and support in one 
another. I extend my condolences to his brother Dr. Edward E. Howard; 
sisters Jolene Howard, Janet M. Howard, Margaret Howard Teeter 
(Andrew), and Sabrina Howard Stump (James); nephew, Dr. Matthew D. 
Stump; and nieces Dr. Jacqueline H. Stump, Elizabeth Stevens Bloch 
(Tom), and great nephew Thomas M. Bloch III. Gayle and I, from our 
family to yours, extend to you our most sincere condolences for our 
shared loss of this wonderful person. The unwavering love

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Richard had for his family, friends, community, our home State, and our 
great Nation will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew 
him.

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