DeKALB, Howard Freeman 1927 - 2015

DEKALB, BARRETT, ELLIS, MOHR, OSGOOD

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/4/2016 at 12:26:42

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Friday, August 26, 2016
Page 8

Howard DeKALB

Howard Freeman DeKALB (May 18, 1927 - July 19, 2015) passed away peacefully at home in his beloved Hilo, Hawaii, surrounded by family and friends. He was buried at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Hilo.

He is survived by his three children, Teresa Lois DeKALB, of Boulder, CO, Frederick Paul DeKALB, of Ben Lomond, CA, and Dana Louise DeKALB, of Berkeley, CA; he is also survived by four grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Jean Muriel BARRET DeKALB, in 2013 and his second wife, Mary Ann ELLIS MOHR DeKALB, in 2007.

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Howard was the second son of Presbyterian missionaries, Pearl Meredith DeKALB and Lois OSGOOD DeKALB. He grew up in Fairfield, Iowa, graduating from Parsons College after a year in the US Navy. He later earned an engineering degree from Colorado School of Mines.

Howard spent much of his time living abroad, first as a history and math teacher, and later as a petroleum engineer working for Stanvac, Esso and Exxon. His work took him to Venezuela, Indonesia, Pakistan, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and he traveled extensively throughout the world with his family.

With a deep love of learning, he read widely on topics such as history, mythology, geology, astronomy, poetry, art and music. He played classical piano, bluegrass banjo, and folk autoharp, and enjoyed performing in amateur theater and musical productions. Everywhere he lived, he made a point of studying the language, culture, music and history of his host country.

During his retirement in Hilo, Howard published a book, The Twisted Earth, and articles describing his contrarian theories about plate tectonics. He volunteered as docent at the Lyman Museum and the Tsunami Museum, giving lectures on how astronomical events relate to mythology. He also researched his own genealogy, uncovering an ancestor on his OSGOOD side who was hung for witchcraft in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts. A major stroke in 2008 slowed him. down (sic) but did not curb his irrepressible curiosity about the world.

Howard had a boundless energy, generosity and a wicked sense of humor that stayed with him until the end. He enjoyed life to the fullest and he is deeply missed by his family and many friends.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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