September 30, 20009

Tonight many of Gene's family and friends gathered at the funeral home to share in the beginning of this celebration of his life.

One of the defining times of Gene's life was certainly the time he spent in the military during World War II. He left high school at the end of his junior year and volunteered for the army. He was trained and in place in time to participate in the landing at Utah Beach during the Invasion of Normandy. His job there was a longshoreman unloading troops, tanks, jeeps, and supplies onto the beach under heavy fire. As soon as the opportunity arose, he transferred as a replacement into the 17th Airborne and was assigned duty as a member of an anti-tank artillery unit. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and campaigns across Northern Europe and in the Rhineland, and crossed the Rhine in a glider in Operation Varsity.

It was only in his later years that Gene really began to talk and write about his memories of that time. After he moved to Chattanooga, he participated in the Veterans History Project where he had the opportunity to talk about some of his experiences. The family hopes that those who are interested will take the time to visit Gene's personal narrative at the Veteran's History Project.

Of course Gene was much more than his time and experiences in the military, but in some way even to the end the metaphor of brave and courageous soldier suited him.

September 29, 2009

Several years ago Gene took his family "down the Stepping Rock" to the farm where he lived with his parents and grandparents until he was about 10 years old. The house was no longer there, but the old barn still stood. That barn burned in 2006, and when Gene heard the news he composed a poem called The Barn.


THE OLD BARN

The old barn stood the test of time
For a hundred years or more
It stood on the farm where I was born
And welcomed all with open door

Built from the finest chestnut trees
Of wood that would not decay
It withstood the ravages of strongest storms
It laughed at the sun’s fierce midday rays

It provided shelter for man and beast
From the cold and wind and rain
It was old in 25 when I was born
I played in its loft amidst the hay and grain

Slowly the tenants left the farm
But the barn kept a watchful eye
Its sturdy beams unyielding to time
Offering comfort to whoever came by

The old barn burned a few days ago
Its time on earth well spent
Imprinting a lesson upon my heart
Be strong, be friendly, be helpful, as God meant

I will miss the old barn!


By Eugene W. Howard
July 20, 2006

September 28, 2009

Eugene W. Howard

Eugene Wright Howard “Gene” passed away on September 27, 2009 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  He was born on January 22, 1925 at Ano, Kentucky, to Ola Dean Wright and Lawrence Hulbert Howard.  In 1935 his family moved to Harlan, Kentucky, where he attended Harlan City Schools.  In his teenage years, Gene was a paper carrier for the Harlan Daily Enterprise and worked for the Boston Store in Harlan to help support the family after his father died. On June 3^rd, 1943, Gene left high school and volunteered for the U.S. Army.  He served with distinction in the European Theater beginning in Normandy at Utah Beach on D-Day where he was a longshoreman loading troops and supplies under fire onto the beach. He described it as endless tanks, jeeps, men, and supplies. After the invasion, he was attached to an engineering company responsible for making roads to the front.  When the opportunity arose, he volunteered as a replacement to the 17^th Airborne where he was assigned to the 155^th Anti-Aircraft Artillery.  His anti-tank gun squad, under Sergeant Pete Peirgiovanni, saw action at the Battle of the Bulge, Northern Europe, and the Rhineland.  His squad dropped across the Rhine in a glider during Operation Varsity. Gene spoke of spending an entire year sleeping outside during the coldest European winter on record.

After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Gene returned to Harlan to finish high school. That spring, on April 12, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Emily Caroline VanSant. After finishing high school, he enrolled at Berea College, in Berea, Kentucky.  Gene graduated from Berea in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.  For 10 years Gene worked for the University of Kentucky Extension Service as a county agent in West Liberty in Morgan County, Hyden in Leslie County, and Stanton in Powell County.  In 1957 he returned to the University of Kentucky to pursue graduate studies.  In 1960 he began his career with Kentucky Utilities and worked for them for 33 years. He worked in farm management and ended his career as a District Manager in Middlesboro, Kentucky. In 2003, Gene and Emily relocated to Chattanooga for their retirement where he quickly became involved in church, community, and civic affairs.

Gene was a Trustee of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare for 16 years, appointed a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor, selected as “State Friend of Extension” by Epsilon Sigma Phi, listed in the Who’s Who – Men of Achievement 1990, listed in Personalities of America in 1991, and honored as a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Kentucky in 1993.  He was a Master Gardener and active in Kiwanis.

Gene made a profession of faith at age 15 at the Harlan Baptist Church and was an active member of the Presbyterian Church all his adult life.  He served the church as a Deacon, an Elder, the Moderator of the Transylvania Presbytery, Delegate of the Synod, Delegate to the General Assembly, and was a faithful member of the Gideons. Upon their move to Chattanooga, Gene and Emily became members of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Gene leaves to cherish his memory -

His beloved wife of 63 years, Emily Caroline VanSant

His children - Russell Howard and wife Tina Hart, Lynn Howard and husband Alan Richelson, Steve Howard and wife Pat Lambdin

His adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren - Elizabeth Howard Brashars, her husband Josh, and their son Elijah; Greg Howard; Shelley Richelson Stein, her husband Louis, and their son Max; Daniel Richelson; Liga Richelson; Valdis Richelson; Lauren Howard McSwain, her husband Ryan, and their daughter Madison Claire; Sarah Howard Fetz and her husband Ryan; Meredith Howard; and Patrick Howard.  

He is also survived by four sisters -  Muriel Howard, Irene Holbrook, Doris Leach, and Mary McKenzie

He will also be remembered fondly by many beloved nieces, nephews, and other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at 11 A.M. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Chattanooga, with Dr. Gary Carver officiating.  Gene’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers; the Gideons and Auxiliary will serve as honorary pallbearers.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Chattanooga Funeral Home, East Chapel and on Thursday from 9:30 A.M., to 11 A.M. at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church prior to the funeral service.  Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 11288, Chattanooga, TN 37401.

September 27, 2009

Gene passed away peacefully at 12:35 this morning.

Funeral services are planned for Thursday morning at 11:00 at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church here in Chattanooga. There will be a visitation at the Chattanooga East Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, TN 37412 (423) 698-2541 on Wednesday evening from 5pm til 8pm. There will also be a visitation before the funeral service on Thursday morning at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411 beginning at 9:30 AM.


In going through Gene's recent notepads, we found a poem in progress:

To my friends and loved ones left on earth
I bid a fond farewell
God in his infinite wisdom
Has called this soldier home.

The Gates of Heaven were open wide
No enemy, the scout reports
The welcome came from the almighty
Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant.

September 26, 6:00 PM

Gene continues to be in a coma. His temperature has been up and down. As the family left Kindred this afternoon it was about 101. His oxygen support has been moved from 80 to 60 percent. His blood glucose this morning registered as low as 5 when they began to give him glucose. They got it stabilized at 80, but this afternoon it dipped down to 15. They again administered glucose. His blood PH indicates that his kidneys are beginning to have difficulty functioning. And his blood gases continue to show that his lungs are having difficulty exchanging the oxygen and CO2.

This afternoon the family had a meeting with Hospice. They could take over Dad's care while he is still at Kindred. At this time, the family has decided that Hospice can be called in at a later time if needed. Dr. Deversa shared that he could and would provide palliative care for Gene. He is also on the floor every day, whereas a Hospice physician would only be there in the case of events. Emily feels very strongly that Dr. Deversa has developed a relationship with her and Dad and that he is the very best doctor right now to oversee his care. Dr. Deversa has shared with the family that although he wouldn't predict an hour or day that he believes Dad's body is shutting down and that his time is drawing near.

This afternoon, Steve's girls and the two husbands all came up/over to Chattanooga to see PaPa. They are gathering at the house to order up some supper and such before heading back in their own directions later this evening. Russ is here, as are Steve and Pat. Alan and Liga and Valdis are joining them for dinner. Lynn made a quick, brief visit to the house to see everyone, but did not stay.

Prayer Requests
Please pray for Gene to have peace.
Pray for the family to know peace at each step of the decision making process.

September 26, 2009, 10:00 AM

When Emily and Steve arrived early this morning they found a crash cart in the room with Gene.  When Emily and Steve arrived early this morning, they found a crash cart in the room and understood that he had a significant heart rate drop.  Emily, Russ, Steve, and Alan met with the staff of Kindred this morning to review Gene's living will.

The decision has been made according to Gene's wishes that no resuscitation efforts will be made.  He will continue to receive the care that he now has, and every effort will be made to prevent him from having pain.

Hospice has been called, but as of now there is not a schedule for when they will be able to meet with the family. 

This blog will be updated as new information is available.

September 25, 2009

Russ and Steve drove up to Chattanooga today to be here for a meeting with Gene's attending physician, Dr. Deversa.  Pat was already here as she had come up last night and spent the night with Emily and Alan joined them all for the meeting.  Lynn's doctor as well as Dr. Deversa have made Kindred off limits for her at this time.

The term desaturate from yesterday's blog brought lots of questions.  The amount of oxygen saturation in the blood is supposed to be between 88 and 100.  When it goes below that it is an indicator that the lungs are not exchanging oxygen efficiently.  Gene desaturates sometimes when he is moved to the side.  This is not a big move generally, just putting a wedge under his shoulder or torso to reposition him.

Dr. Deversa explained that Gene probably has acute respiratory distress syndrome.  He also says that Gene is now in a coma, and that his lung tissue has probably become scarred from all his infections, and this prevents oxygen from passing through the lung tissue and making the exchange. They also believe that he has pneumonia, although that hasn't yet been confirmed by an x-ray. Every time they have to raise his oxygen level, that also causes damage to the lungs.  It brings about a short term benefit, but over the long term it's not good. As of tonight Gene's ventilator settings have been raised and now are at 35 pressure and 60 oxygen.

Emily is staying at the hospital tonight. That's pretty hard on her physically, so Russ is going to relieve her at about 2:30 this morning.

At this point obviously the discussion about him being moved to another facility has been tabled. 

Prayer Requests
Please pray for Gene's spirit to be calm and at peace and for the family to have peace in the days to come.