The Story of Robert Wallace Howard

Ninety five years ago on this very day, Robert Wallace Howard was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Though he would spend many years of his life in North Carolina, the plane he piloted would carry him to many places. And his ambition, shrewdness and knack for making life-long friends would land him tens of starring roles.

Mom tells me that during the spring and summer of 09, Wally's favorite quote (which he thought reflected his life) came from Shakespeare’s play “As You Like It.”

“All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts”

Some of my fondest memories of Wally are contained here. But there was so much more to this man, who in this life, played many parts. One of them I gratefully consider to be the greatest of accomplishments:  producing the greatest of human beings on Earth--my mother.

In his "wordly" life, Wally enlisted in the United States Army and served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre during World War II. His military commendations included the Bronze Star Medal and EAME Theatre Ribbon with five Battle Stars.

During a distinguished banking career, he served as Senior Vice President of Wachovia's eastern region of NC. He was a community leader, serving in leadership positions with the Salvation Army, the East Carolina University Foundation, the Greenville Boys Club and the Pitt Greenville Airport Authority. He was even named Citizen of the Year by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.

After death, we become particularly attuned to "what's left." What remains of a lifetime of relationships, doing good, making friends, making money, annoying a few scattered enemies, building a house with everything personally selected it contains?  In the case of Robert Wallace Howard, I take several things to heart which he imparted on me and everyone he knew:

1. When things seem bad, remember that the trifles of life are but small pieces of nothing in the Grand Scheme of Things.  Keep the big picture in mind.
2. Move on. There's always more beyond your current and past circumstances. When there's nothing left, well, it may be time for your next journey.
3. A good pipe, Baileys in your morning coffee and a view from your deck are more than enough. Always be grateful for the opportunities afforded to you in life.

Happy Birthday, Robert Wallace. I do miss you but know you must be bringing a touch of class and lots of color to that next role in the journey beyond.