Hello June, I never met you. I am an old school friend of Howard. I talked to him periodically over the years. I am the person who sent him the AA Big Book. I hadnt talked to him in about 9 years and I wanted to congratulate him on reaching 70years. My birthday is the same month. I checked on google first. That's when I realized that he had died the year before. You were so fortunate to have him for 40 years. I thought Howard was a special kind of person. Kind, nonjudgemental , he could listen, and he had a good laugh, smart and all around nice person-unique. I'm sure he will be missed by many. I am sorry for your loss. Rusty Schaeffer