Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Love the portrait pic of Howard - My friend 'Judge' Howard Rowe... Of my friend, Howard got his honor and swagger from the Marine Corps, his reputation from the Steelworkers, and his love of life from his family. The Marines are a fighting force, and the Steelworkers are a fighting union, and Howard was truly a fighter. It is said "To fight the good fight' - It seemed to Howard that every fight is a good fight... Those who knew of Howard will remember him as a man who could stir things up - He has been referred to as the Achillies of the Steelworkers. To those of us who knew Howard will remember that his heart was good with a desire to be better. We remember his love, his attentive, sensitive, compassionate and caring ways. his kindness, his gentleness, and yes, his fiery passionate spirit. To those of us who knew him, Howard would give the shirt off his back to a stranger... Whatever Howard stood for, he did with honor and an overabundance of passion with a special mix of 'Howardism'. Importantly, Howard defined true leadership - "To lead is to serve". I know that Howard was a beacon of hope and strength to his 'fighting brothers'. A man of faith, yet to me, Howard best represented that Old Steelworker Adage "It is better to stand and fight on your feet, than to live on your knees"... I have learned and acquired much from Howard. Yet, what matters most is what he instilled in me the day we first met "Don't promise anything to anyone that you can't back up". I immediately understood that I would be held accountable to this decree by Howard, and Howard was known to back things up.
Having said all that, I say this: I truly believe that at this time, Howard would say that it's not about him, it's about his family. He desires most for God's love and comfort for Gail and his family who have always been the source of his strength and courage... It was Mark Twain who said, "The mark of an honorable man is one who honors other". Howard was always expressive of his love for Gail, his family, his dogs, and his friends... So, to Gail, Lew, Sherri, Kim and family, to me, it's best summed up with what Howard proclaimed the most, "I am the luckiest man alive' when speaking of you.
Peace, Love and Perseverance, Russ
