Obituary: Brownlee, Howard W.

BROWNLEE, Howard W.

Howard W. Brownlee, was born in Tacoma, WA, April 29, 1918, to William Alexander and Marie (Graf) Brownlee, and died October 28, 2012 at Rockwood South in Spokane, WA He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Doris M. Aaland, in 2008, and his sister, Iris M. Bronow, in 2005.

He is survived by four sons; Donald (Jeanne) of Swan Point, MD; Dr. William (Cheryl) of Spokane, WA; Richard (Vicki) of Millwood, WV; and Douglas (Darlene) of Sterling, VA; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Howard was a1936 graduate of Stadium High School in Tacoma, WA, serving as Class Secretary his senior year.

He graduated from the University of Washington in 1941 with a BS, Mechanical Engineering.

He married Doris M. Aaland, also from Tacoma on January 6, 1942.

Howard served two years active duty as a commissioned officer with U.S. Army occupation forces in Germany during World War II and remained in the Army Reserves, commanding Company L, 415th Infantry Regiment at Newport, WA, achieving the rank of Major.

Howard joined Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp.’s Spokane-Mead Works in 1947 as an industrial engineer and worked there until 1956.

He was then assigned to help establish Kaiser’s new facility in Ravenswood, WV where he retired in 1979 and returned with his wife Doris to their Tacoma, WA roots.
Howard was always active in his community and his church.

He served 22 years with the Ravenswood, WV City Council and held many Lions Club leadership positions.

In Gig Harbor he continued his Lions Club and church affiliations and supported a number of area charitable activities.

Howard is lovingly remembered by his four sons and their families as a very special person who possessed the highest moral and ethical values and a strong sense of personal responsibility.

He gave freely of his time and energy to others and in community service.

He loved classical music and enjoyed playing the violin in his younger years.

He considered home, family and friends as the center of his life.
A private family memorial service and inurnment will be held at Haven of Rest Funeral Home, Gig Harbor, WA at a future date.

The family thanks the staff at Rockwood Atrium and Courtyard for their compassionate care.

Memorial Donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane (hospiceofspokane.org).