Robert Howard

Robert Louis Howard, a brilliant, witty, and self-made man, died in Abilene, Texas on Nov. 16, 2020. Known to all as “RL,” he would like you to know that all of his earthly business is now done. He received his final offer at the age of 90, and closed the deal which included a heavenly sign-on bonus of reuniting with his four brothers and his beloved granddaughter Madeline, all while enjoying a juicy rare ribeye steak, followed by his choice of endless hands of bridge or perhaps a flight on one of his favorites planes, his Piper Appache or Cessna 182 RG. Oh, how he loved to fly!

One of five boys, RL was born May 26, 1930 in Earth, Texas to WD and Annetta Howard. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radio operator. In 1953, RL opened Howard Radio and throughout his life engaged in many successful business ventures, while actively serving his community. He was also a member of Pioneer Baptist Church.

RL will be dearly missed by: his wife of more than 30 years, Donna Cassle Howard; his son Robert Evan Howard and his wife Gerra; RL’s daughter Letitia Tatum and grandsons Christopher, Aaron and Jeffrey Tatum; step children Kim Weston, her husband David and their children Daniel and Rebekah; and Tim Cassle, his wife Donna, and their children Stephen and Jennifer.

The family will announce a memorial service at a later time. Donations may be made in honor of RL to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Ste 800, Miami FL 33131, or make a tribute gift online www.parkinson.org, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research at www.michaelJfox.org

RL had a passion for ham radio and was an operator until just shortly before his passing. So on that note: “10-4 all! This is WC5E signing off for the last time…over and out!” We Roger that, RL! We Roger that.