Obituary - Richard Charles Howland, MD

Sunday, December 11, 2022, Richard Charles Howland, MD, finished his last race at the age of 86. Dick succumbed to his medical difficulties after surviving a stroke for 2½ years.

He was born January 28, 1936, in Toledo, Ohio, to Donald and Maybelle Howland. He graduated from Ohio State University with his undergraduate and medical degrees. He served as an Air Force captain in Cheyenne, WY. Following his military service, he completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Oklahoma,

He began his private practice in 1969 in Spokane, WA, and practiced there until 1996, when he and his wife Karen moved to Havre, Montana, where he was on the medical staff at Northern Montana Hospital until 2004. At that time, he was the only orthopedic surgeon within a 110-mile radius.

They loved Montana and made lifelong friends. Dick spent many hours hiking the area with his beloved German shepherds. After retirement, he quickly became bored and joined the Bonner County Marine, where he served as a Marine Deputy at Priest Lake, ID, for five years.

An avid outdoorsman, Dick was an excellent photographer, marksman, and mountain climber. He enjoyed his sailboat, the "Huckleberry," and was a first-rate canoeist, as well as a superb athlete, completing numerous marathons, triathlons, and road races. At the age of 51, he competed in the Ironman Championship Triathlon in Hawaii, finishing in 12 hours and 30 minutes. He was also a Bloomsday Perennial and served on the Bloomsday Board and committees for several years.

Dick was funny, positive, and consistently smiling. He had a tremendous sense of humor and was known to pull a practical joke to brighten the day. April Fool's Day was his favorite holiday.

It is impossible to describe what an impact Dick Howland had on this world and how widely and deeply he will be missed.

Dick is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen; his sister, Barbara; his four boys, Ric (Danielle), Jeff (Brandi), Chris (Keona) and stepson Kris (Gina) Honaker, his 16 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; the mother of his children, Kay; and his brother-in-law, Jack.

The Celebration of Life will be held January 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane. Inurnment at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Spokane Humane Society or SCRAPS.