Charles (Skip) Jordan Robert Howe

Charles (Skip) Jordan Robert Howe, age 72, of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, formerly of Wayne, passed peacefully at home on Monday, October 12, 2020.

He was born in Montclair to the late Virginia and Charles Jordan Robert Howe and raised in Livingston where he graduated from Livingston High School with the Class of 1966. Skip was a natural athlete and during his high school years played golf, football, baseball and tennis.  He continued his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison and was later accepted into Pace University in New York City.  During his college years his father passed away at the age of fifty-two and he left college to become the provider and head of household for his mother and brother.

Skip found work in the dental field where he designed dental offices and procured the necessary equipment and supplies to run those offices. He was an exceptional man that was revered throughout his industry. Over the course of his career, Skip was nationally ranked in the top 20 of his field. In 2005 Skip’s battle with Parkinson’s made it hard for him to perform up to the high level he was used to and chose to retire.

He will be lovingly remembered for his brilliant mind, his outgoing personality, and his “sure I’ll try that” attitude. He fiercely fought Parkinson’s disease for the past thirty years without a complaint. He amazed many with his positive attitude, never letting Parkinson’s hold him back.

Skip’s determination coupled with his thrust for knowledge led him to not only teach himself guitar but become successful with his rock band Rain Tree County during the 70’s and 80’s. His passion for music continued throughout his life and had a positive impact on those he shared it with.

Skip was successful at just about anything he put his mind to. One of his passions beside music was golf.  He was an excellent golfer who at a young age would do just about anything to get on the course. Starting with being a caddy at his local country club. His love for golf was shared with his son Jordan and they often played together at Packanack Golf Course.  

In 1983 while working at a dentists office, Karen Ohlson met Skip Howe and that was the start of their thirty-seven year romance. Their first phone call on a Saturday lasted for about three hours.  At the end of the call Skip asked Karen to go out with him on Monday.  She said for him to call back to confirm and the salesman in him came out to close the deal and said “no…I’m confirming now.” Their first date, November 21, 1983 was to The Office in Summit and they got along so well they closed the place. And they have been inseparable ever since.

One month into their love affair, Skip asked Karen to move in with him, a story she loves to relive - When Karen arrived at his house after work he stopped her at the front door and cued up the song “I’ve Been Waiting for A Girl Like You”. With the fire going and a glass of Champagne, Skip took Karens hand for a slow dance. He sang the words aloud, told her how beautiful she was and they could truly rely on each other through thick and thin. Words that rang true throughout their relationship.

They married on September 21, 1985, two years after their first date. Through the years they acknowledged monthly the 21st as their special day.  They wished each other happy anniversary each month over the past thirty-seven years.  Actually it was a competition to see who could say it first on the 21st of each month.  Karen even set her bedside alarm for one minute after midnight so she could awaken Skip with a “happy anniversary” to which he replied “that’s cheating.”

Skip was the loving husband of thirty-five years to Karen (Ohlson) Howe; devoted father of Jordan Robert Howe of Chambersburg, PA and Paige Rigoglioso and her husband Charles of Wayne; cherished grandfather of Charles Rigoglioso III; he was the loved brother of Ricky Howe of Wayne and his late wife Marie (Mulick) Howe (d.2020); he was the dear uncle of Carrie Howe Franco (Pat), Laura Howe Jung (Ed), Ryan Howe. Brother-in-law to Stymie Ohlson (Kevin), Kristine (Ohlson) Walby (Christopher), and uncle to Chandlar Walby and Grant Walby; Great-Uncle to Aubrey Hartwell and Jaxton Walby. Skip was also dearly loved by his extended family and a multitude of friends he made over the years.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Skip's Go Fund Me Page would be greatly appreciated.