Howard Raymond Throop, 82, of Heritage Pointe in Warren, IN, was born June 21, 1936 to Vera Smith Throop and Harold Throop and lived the first years of his life in Grand Blanc, MI where his parents had an International Harvester Business. He passed away on December 25, 2018 at Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Howard was the oldest of 6 children, having 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers David and Gerald, and his sister Judi. His youngest brother, Richard, and his sister Janice live in MI.
During and immediately after high school, he began his world travels by hiking in Europe and during his lifetime, traveled in six continents. While at Flint Community College, he met his future wife Kathryn “Kitty” Stubbs and they married 5 years later in 1962. While he was stationed in the Army in Schweinfurst, Germany. Their beloved children David and Karyn were born and raised in Burton, MI.
In the 1970s, he returned to collage at the University of Michigan Flint, majoring in history, and graduated with honors.
Quiet, unassuming, capable, multitalented, and knowledgeable in a wide variety of fields, he eventually worked for the city of Burton for 27 years, the majority of them as the Superintendent of roads.
Howard was diagnosed with a slow developing form of adult onset muscular dystrophy in 2004, four years after he retired. Patient, analytical, and mechanical minded, he foresaw what he would need for the next phase of his mobility concerns. Then he researched and followed through to provide for it.
In the midst of each of the challenges of that anode, he maintained a positive attitude, making the best of these last 14 years for both himself and his family. His kind, gentle spirit and deep appreciation for everything his caretakers and the medical personnel did for him endeared him to them as well.
Trustworthy, wise, extremely intelligent, and unswervingly kind. Howard was a gentleman, humble, unpretentious; a man who lived all of his life with great dignity. He was a renaissance man whose spirit was deeply felt, and whose legacy lives on through his love for his family and friends.
Loving survivors include his wife, Kathryn “Kitty” Throop, Warren, IN, daughter Karyn (Steve) Mekaru of Fort Wayne, IN, Son, David (Marina) Throop of Seattle, WA, Grandchildren, Kayla and Hannah Mekaru of Fort Wayne, IN, Rachel (Tom) King of Cleveland, OH, Benjamin Throop of Seattle, WA, Dominique Throop of Acton, MA, Keegan Throop of Blacksburg, VA, and special sister in law, Mary Davis, Louisville, KY.
Family and friends may gather to share and remember at Heritage Pointe-Applegate Chapel, 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A memorial service to celebrate his life will follow at 11:00 AM with Chaplain Ginny Soultz officiating. Interment will follow at a later date in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Warren.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to give a memorial contribution in honor of Howard to their favorite charity.
Arrangements are being handled by Glancy – H. Brown & Son Funeral Home in Warren.
Online condolences and the online guest book may be signed at www.glancyfuneralhomes.com