Obituary of Vernon A. Howard

Vernon A. Howard passed away on January 6, 2011 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. A distinguished academic in the field of philosophy of education, a professional singer of opera and classical music, author of 9 books and any number of scholarly articles, Vernon was truly a renaissance man, who loved life and lived it fully. His undergraduate degree was from the University of Maine in Geology; his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Science from Indiana University. Over his career, he held teaching and research appointments at the University of Western Ontario, University of Toronto, University of London, and after more than 20 years of teaching at Harvard University he retired in 1999, having served there as Co-Director of the Philosophy of Education Research Centre. His publications included "Charm and Speed: Virtuosity in the Performing Arts," "Work Education and Leadership" (with Israel Scheffler) and "Learning by All Means: Lessons from the Arts." For many years he summered and vacationed in Deer Island, where much of his writing was done, retiring to his home there in 1999 to enjoy boating, the island itself and the fine company of its people. Over a number of summers and in retirement, he taught part-time at both the Fredericton and Saint John campuses of the University of New Brunswick. A remembrance service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 20th, at the Fisherman’s Cove Café on Deer Island. All are welcome to attend. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424).