Dr. Robert Edgar "Bob" Howe

Dr. Robert “Bob” E. Howe passed away on Wednesday after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was a member of the Decatur Highway Church of Christ. He was predeceased by his parents, Dr. Charles and Iva Howe and his niece, Dana Howe. He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years Sheila Bartlett Howe and his brother Dr. Michael (Patty) Howe of South Pittsburg, Tennessee. He is also survived by his children: Carol (Bill) Ingram and Charlie Howe of Birmingham; Margaret (Don) Upton of Auburn; Tom (Hope) Howe of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Beth (Joe) Clark of Huntsville; and his stepchildren: Tina (Wes) Brown, Keith Musgrove, and Christie (Kyle) Sloan of Birmingham. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Katherine Clark, Joseph Clark Jr., Brantley Ingram, Grayson Ingram, Stone Ingram, Samuel Brown, Olivia Brown, Brody Musgrove, Brock Musgrove, Hunter Harper, Hannah Harper, and Wyatt Sloan. Dr. Howe was lovingly cared for by his wife Sheila, Dr. Allen Yielding, Dr. Jeff Hawkins, Dr. Doug Alford, Dr. Hank Hudson and Dr. Al Stanley, as well as many other doctors and their staffs over the years. Dr. Howe was a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Birmingham for 38 years. He attended Marion Military Institute and graduated the University of Tennessee School of Medicine in 1957. He interned at the City Hospital of Memphis from 1957 – 58, and was a surgical resident at Carraway Methodist Hospital from 1958 – 60. From 1960 – 62, he served in an Army MASH camp in Korea. He returned to Carraway for his last year of his Surgical Residency and then completed a Fellowship in Plastic Surgery with Dr. Neal Owens in New Orleans. Dr. Howe left New Orleans in 1966, but returned many times for the history, the architecture, and Domilise’s oyster po-boy. In 1966, he moved back to Birmingham and opened his practice at Norwood Clinic and Carraway Methodist Medical Center, where he stayed until his retirement in 2004. He was the kind of doctor everyone wishes they had. He was a warm, caring man who took time with each patient; a precise surgeon, and an all-around good guy. He loved sharing his knowledge and skills with many residents over the years. In Birmingham, he raised his five children and their house was a place of chaotic fun, thanks to Dr. Howe’s contagious enthusiasm for life. Later he and Sheila started Stronzata Farms where they loved to work on projects together and entertain. Dr. Howe collected classic Corvettes, thrift store antiques, and stray dogs. He loved researching the Civil War and would share his boundless knowledge to anyone interested. He strived to give more than he got and was slow to judge others. As a grandfather, Dr. Howe was a constant source of good advice, jokes, and late-night ice cream. He leaves his friends and family with hearts full of gratitude for the years of love and adventures. Visitation will be at The New Gardendale Funeral Home 2214 Decatur Highway on Friday May 5th from 4 to 7 with a Memorial Service to follow at 7 p.m. A private graveside service is planned. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. UT Foundation College of Medicine UTHSC 62 South Dunlap Street Office #513 Memphis, Tennessee 38163 Attention: Zach Pretzer.

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Dr. Robert Edgar "Bob" Howe

September 23, 1934 - May 3, 2017