In Memoriam

Robert G. Howard ’46

March 13, 2020

Tags In Memoriam

Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

I’m writing to share the sad news that Life Trustee Bob Howard ’46 has died. Bob, who was 95, and his wife, Janet, celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in February.

Bob was a member of the so-called Greatest Generation, a termed coined by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe those who grew up during the Great Depression and fought in World War II. He received a scholarship to attend Hamilton as a member of the Class of 1946, but left after only a year to fly planes for the Navy. After graduating in 1948, he returned to his hometown of Binghamton and began working in his family’s hardware store. Four years later, he left that job for what would become a 30-year career in the investment field when he joined the brokerage firm of Reynolds & Company, a firm that was co-founded by Janet’s father. He retired in 1984 as executive vice president of what ultimately became Dean Witter Reynolds.

Bob was a consistently generous supporter of Hamilton. Elected a charter trustee in 1975, he was a stalwart volunteer, notably serving as regional chair for the Campaign for the ’90s. In that capacity, he traveled to 60 cities around the country and London to make the case for supporting Hamilton. Recognizing the financial aid that made possible his own Hamilton education, Bob and Janet established, in 1972, a scholarship fund that has provided support for scores of Hamilton students, and he often inquired about the recipients of that scholarship.

In recognition of Bob’s fidelity and generosity to the College, the diner in the Beinecke Student Activities Village was named in his honor. He was awarded an honorary degree in 1996.

At this time the family has not made plans for a memorial service.

David