Robert J. Howell, Sr. (Bob), died peacefully on July 31, 2018 in Leesburg, Virginia at the age of 93.

Bob is survived by his son, Colonel (Retired) Robert J. Howell Jr. (Rob), daughter in law Jessica Howell and the lights of his life, granddaughters Hailey Howell and Hannah Howell; all of Ashburn, Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years Bernardine E. (Gureckis) Howell (Dini), his sister Shirley (Howell) Haley and brother-in-law Edward Haley.  He is survived by brother-in-law John Gureckis; and sister-in-law Judy Gureckis.

Bob is also survived by nieces and nephews Christine (Haley) Thomas, Maureen Haley, Mark Haley, Matthew Haley and Christopher Gureckis.  He was predeceased by nephew Stephen Haley.  Bob especially enjoyed following the lives and stories of his grand-nieces and nephews Madeleine Haley, Jack Haley, Grace Haley, Natalie Thomas, Isabella Thomas, Willow Gureckis and Winston Gureckis.

Bob was born on April 30, 1925 in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Robert and Mary Howell and grew up in Medford, Massachusetts.  He was a World War Two veteran, serving in the Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters – a source of life-long pride and inspiration for him.  He enjoyed a career in the men's sportswear industry that took him and his family to many places around the country, ultimately calling Maryland his home.  He enjoyed coaching sports, playing golf, and traveling to limitless high school and college baseball and basketball games.

Later as a retiree, he began a second "career" volunteering in local elementary schools – something he truly treasured and continued into his 90's.  But his true passion in his most senior years was watching his granddaughters grow and participating in their passions, cheering in the front row for countless plays and recitals and in the bleachers for innumerable basketball and lacrosse games.

Kindness, respect, humility and humor mattered greatly to Bob, and they were characteristics that defined his life until his final days.  The family would like to thank the staff, caregivers and fellow residents at Ashby Ponds for their constant and true friendship.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd, NE, Leesburg, VA, 20176.  The family will also receive friends at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, until the time of his funeral at 11:00 am.

His interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to the Ashby Ponds Scholarship Fund at 21170 Ashby Ponds Boulevard, Ashburn, VA 20147.