I just found out our dear friend and fellow diver, Brian Howard, of Calif, AK and Hawaii passed at the age of 44 on Sept 8th, 2008.........The events in the local newspaper stated that he was the victim of a murder/suicide...where his girlfriend shot him then herself in front of her 13 yr old daughter....It is with shock that we, as a community attempt to cope with this loss........Brian was active in his community of Homer, Alaska always giving of himself to community causes...and to those less fortunate.......
RIP, Brian.....
alcina
September 20th, 2008, 08:07 PM
Brian was a great guy in all my chats with him. This is a terrible tragedy.
My best thoughts to his family and friends.
CheddarChick
September 20th, 2008, 09:42 PM
RIP, Brian.....The world just got darker....
almitywife
September 20th, 2008, 09:48 PM
OH MY GOSH...... i liked Wildcard, he was a nice guy!
my sincere condolences to his family & friends..... such a horrible & unfair tragedy
i hope there is a better place for the good people we have lost
Missdirected
September 20th, 2008, 09:52 PM
OMG - this is horrible. I am so sorry.
What a day. :sadangel:
Zeeman
September 20th, 2008, 10:02 PM
Shocked. Terrible news. My best wishes to his family and friends...
Story last updated at 10:15 PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Brian Lee Howard
Brian Lee Howard died in a homicide June 9, 2008. He was born in Concord, Calf., June 9, 1964, to Chester Howard of Sacramento, Calif., and Ruby Howard of Penryn, Calif. He attended Oro High School in Loomis Calf., then Sierra College in Rocklin where he took classes in fire fighting. A commercial fisherman in both California and Alaska, he was in the United States Air Force in explosive ordinance disposal, and a trained EMT and paramedic. Brian did EOD. work in Adak, Hawaii and Iraq, as well as Puerto Rico. In Hawaii, where he was also a SCUBA diving instructor, Brian married and divorced 10 months later. Incapacitated by a failed neck surgery while there, he returned to Homer where he drove school bus and took physician assistant classes. Following a fire that consumed his cabin, he returned to work for Fairweather in Prudhoe Bay and Soldotna. Back in Homer, Brian was a member of the volunteer fire department, and on the board of directors of Kachemak Emergency Services Area.
http://homernews.com/images/091708/12087_256.jpg (http://homernews.com/images/091708/12087_512.jpg)
Brian Lee Howard
Brian is survived by his parents Chester and Ruby Howard; sister, Linda Howard Fuhrman, niece Lucy and nephew Casey, of Loomis, Calif.; brother Dale Howard and three children of Santa Rosa, Calf.; half-sister Ann Howard and children Felicia Dobias and son-in-law Josh, of Mansfield, Ohio; grandchildren Skylar and Brianna Dobias; aunts Geneva Chatoian of San Mateo, Calf., Georgia Curran of Mildred, Kan., Helen and Jim Painter of Kansas City, Jacqueline and Alvin Ewan of Bannerspring, and June Wendtof Berryville, Ark.
A potluck and memorial is at 3 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008. at the McNeil Canyon Fire Station. Arrangements were entrusted to the Cremation Society of Alaska. An online tribute may be signed at Cremation Society of Alaska : Anchorage, Alaska (AK) (http://www.alaskacremation.com).
No more page outs. No more sirens. RIP, dude.
Art
sjspeck
September 20th, 2008, 11:51 PM
Although the Homer News post says June, I believe this actually took place 11 days ago.
Apparent murder-suicide investigated near Homer: Alaska News | adn.com (http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/521059.html)
Man, woman die in Homer: Daughter witnesses murder-suicide | Peninsula Clarion (http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/stories/091008/new_281382495.shtml)
Just when it seemed like things were finally improving for him.
First Wildcard then Packet. Our world is diminished by both losses.
z17amethyst
September 20th, 2008, 11:57 PM
Thank you for this info...However, there is some misinformation in this article...the day of the homicide was Sept. 8th,....not June 9th as in this obit's 1st line....for more detailed info....See the article in the Homer News....dated Thursday, Sept. 11th....
Thank you again for your tribute to Brian.
Scuba_Jenny
September 20th, 2008, 11:58 PM
Wow. My condolences to his friends and family. so sad.
Sponsored Link
NetDoc
September 21st, 2008, 12:20 AM
It is indeed a sad day here on ScubaBoard. I will miss both of these great contributors.
ScubaTexan
September 21st, 2008, 12:36 AM
My deepest condolences to his friends and loved ones. :depressed:
Ben_ca
September 21st, 2008, 12:40 AM
That is so shocking... I can't believe it...
fishb0y
September 21st, 2008, 12:43 AM
Wow!!! Knowing Wildcard, I'm sure he would have something to say about the comments in his article.
Dive-aholic
September 21st, 2008, 12:47 AM
Wow. I don't know what to say...
My condolences.
justleesa
September 21st, 2008, 01:51 AM
I can't believe it.... we've been chatting in the morning....Looking forward to his next grandchild.....and now he's gone
Aloha Brian...gonna miss ya...don't think I can even begin to think how much...
As well as for Wildcard, and his girlfriend, (no matter what happened), I send my thoughts and prayers out to the 13 year old daughter of his girlfriend...can't imagine the strength she needed.
Tassie_Rohan
September 21st, 2008, 02:12 AM
this is terrible.
ItsBruce
September 21st, 2008, 03:37 AM
I am terribly saddened by this terrible event. I always enjoyed Wildcard's posts and will miss them and him mightily.
Capt Gary
September 21st, 2008, 09:29 AM
Hard to imagine something like this in our community. Yes my thoughts and prayers are with his daughter and surviving family members as they look for answers.
RIP Brian. You are gone, but our memories of you keep you alive.
Good Diving,
Sponsored Link
CBulla
September 21st, 2008, 10:36 AM
Peace be with you Wildcard...
scubapolly
September 21st, 2008, 06:40 PM
A very sad week in the diving community:
George Purifoy (not active on the boards but a legend in diving)
Richard Mork
Brian Howard
I hope the young girl who witnessed this is able to find the strength in herself to get beyond this tragedy.
Marvel
September 21st, 2008, 06:45 PM
Oh no. This is terrible. My prayers go out to his family & that poor young girl.
fisheyeview
September 21st, 2008, 07:59 PM
My prayers to his family & friends.
ripbrianhoward
September 22nd, 2008, 12:03 AM
Hi. I am not a diver :) I am, however, a friend of Brian's. Brian was actually my older sister's best friend and her son's godfather. He was awesome, like a big brother to me when I was little. He took me out on the Wild Card and helped me get over my fear of water. I honestly suspect that my sister was always in love with him :( We just found out about his death today. His psycho girlfriend blocked all of our email addresses from his account a long time ago, so we haven't been able to get in touch with him. We miss him so much, and it's still hard for us to believe this actually happened.
justleesa
September 22nd, 2008, 12:35 AM
So sorry that he was taken away from you twice.....you are not alone...we're all going to miss him a lot :grouphug:
Missdirected
September 22nd, 2008, 12:39 AM
Hi. I am not a diver :) I am, however, a friend of Brian's. Brian was actually my older sister's best friend and her son's godfather. He was awesome, like a big brother to me when I was little. He took me out on the Wild Card and helped me get over my fear of water. I honestly suspect that my sister was always in love with him :( We just found out about his death today. His psycho girlfriend blocked all of our email addresses from his account a long time ago, so we haven't been able to get in touch with him. We miss him so much, and it's still hard for us to believe this actually happened.
:hugs:
Ber Rabbit
September 22nd, 2008, 09:54 AM
I'm stunned, absolutely stunned. BIG HUG to all who knew and loved him.
Ber
300bar
September 22nd, 2008, 10:02 AM
R.I.P. Wildcard.
bluewaterdiva
September 22nd, 2008, 11:37 AM
Had very sad. My sympathy to famility and friends. When something like this happens it is so very difficult and tremendously heartbreaking.
Teamcasa
September 22nd, 2008, 03:48 PM
These events truly sadden me. God's rest Brian, and I hope the families find comfort somehow. My condolences and paryers go out to his friends and family.
Kayla
September 22nd, 2008, 03:53 PM
No words can begin to truly express the great loss that everyone here feels... Thoughts and prayers are being sent out to family and friends. :hugs: to all.
Tomeck
September 22nd, 2008, 04:07 PM
My condolences to his family and friends.
sea nmf
September 22nd, 2008, 04:12 PM
Boy, the first line in the Obit had me reeling! He died on his birthday and we are just finding out about it!? But, it was a misprint.
Brian was a character and we will miss him.
I hope your adventures continue, Brian! Aloha.
justleesa
September 22nd, 2008, 04:41 PM
found another one of him from our first dive together
OMG. I am stunned. Almitywife just gave me this link. I can't believe it. I was on a liveaboard in the GBR last December with him. He was character, for sure. RIP Brian.
almitywife
September 23rd, 2008, 01:06 AM
i was just out at lunchtime and heard some christmas tunes being played.... i remember how each year the Christmas songs in the stores (ESPECIALLY months early) would drive Wildcard nuts
gonna miss that from him this year :depressed:
CFDAlden
September 23rd, 2008, 03:18 AM
From one firefighter to another, rest in peace brother, rest in peace. :(
Azza
September 23rd, 2008, 03:27 AM
I dont know what to say...I am stunned
Wildcard and I argued frequently on the forums...usually about politics....always our threads were deleted...but I liked the guy.
RIP Wildcard. Lest We Forget
Sponsored Link
chepar
September 23rd, 2008, 02:15 PM
Brian was really a character and he will be missed. I'm glad to have spent some time with him and know what a great guy he was.
Aloha, Brian. Peace be with you.
LetterBoy
September 23rd, 2008, 02:21 PM
WOW, I saw this the other day and didn't think anything of it, I figured he was moving someplace else. . . I finally read it today. . . I traded PM's with WC a few times . . .
You are in my thoughts and prayers WC. I hope you have found a better place where the water is always warm clear and the currents are calm.
MeiLing
September 24th, 2008, 02:11 AM
Brian was a truly wonderful guy! He will be missed. I only met him twice here in Hawaii but found him to be a really great person! Quite the character, as others have mentioned. In addition, he was a really warm, funny and friendly person!
My sincerest condolences and prayers got out to all his family and friends. Rest in peace, Brian.
Hank49
September 24th, 2008, 10:54 AM
RIP Wildcard.
sporket
September 26th, 2008, 12:25 PM
A tragedy RIP man.
justleesa
September 28th, 2008, 12:30 PM
I received an email from Brian's mom and it contains one important detail about his murder that wasn't mentioned in the reports, thought I'd share. To those that knew Brian - this should not be a surprise....
He was trying to save the life of a 13-year old girl whose mother was threatening to kill her. The mother shot Brian and then killed herself. The child is physically unhurt, but emotionally traumatized.
LetterBoy
September 28th, 2008, 12:33 PM
I received an email from Brian's mom and it contains one important detail about his murder that wasn't mentioned in the reports, thought I'd share. To those that knew Brian - this should not be a surprise....
Had not ever met the man, but I can see by the outpouring of love and devotion that this would not have been out of character.
justleesa
September 28th, 2008, 12:39 PM
thanks John...you're right, it wasn't....
Jim Holt
October 9th, 2008, 10:39 PM
I am still in shock, having just read this. Brian I considered a friend, as we spent a good six weeks together here on the Big Island, and I was expecting him back at some point to go diving with us.
While I don't spend much time on this board, it is fitting and appropriate that I post my deepest condolences for his family and other friends. He was an exceptional guy and will be missed by this diver.
Tragic series of events, but as it turns out, Brian Howard left us as a hero, by apparently saving the life of the 13-year-old girl, while losing his.
bdshort
October 12th, 2008, 09:58 AM
Wow, this is the first SB death that sort of hits close to home. I didn't know or chat with him directly, but as a fellow Alaskan, I saw and read his posts in the AK Polar Bears forum. I didn't realize he was a fellow Firefighter and EMT. :(
