Charles "Doug" Howard

  Charles “Doug” Howard Obituary 

February 15,1942-March 26th, 2024

Doug Howard, 82, went to be with the Lord on March 26th, 2024. 

He was born in Ontario, Oregon, on February 15, 1942, to Warner and Edith Howard. A few years later, he moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where he lived most of his life and made significant contributions to the community. 

After graduating from Twin Falls High School in 1960, Doug attended the University of Idaho, where he received a degree in civil engineering. Doug was not only a proficient engineer but also had a heart for adventure and loved being outdoors. He was part of the Devil’s Brigade smokejumper unit, bravely fighting fires in Idaho and Montana. 

While in college he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Taiwan during the Vietnam War. As a flight navigator, he volunteered to fly many dangerous missions, from which he would likely not return. For his bravery, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as other awards. 

In Taiwan, he met the love of his life, a young nurse named MaryLou Franzen. The competition was fierce—5,000 men to a handful of women on the base—but Doug won her heart. They were married on December 23rd, 1969, and recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. 

Still in Taiwan, they had their first child, Heidi. They finished their service in 1972 and moved to Twin Falls where they had three more children: Sarah, Catherine, and Joe. Doug was a committed family man who passed his love for the outdoors down to his children by taking them camping, fishing, hunting and on many other outdoor adventures. 

He was also highly respected as a founding member of the local engineering firm Edwards, Howard and Martens (EHM). It was at that time he got his Professional Engineering (PE) license. His influence and impact can be seen throughout the Magic Valley, including his work on the Perrine Bridge - the trademark of Twin Falls. 

During his life, he served his community in many ways. He was Twin Falls Highway District commissioner for several years, working to help improve the quality of life for the residents of Twin Falls. After he received his MBA, he was appointed by the Governor of Idaho to serve as the head administrator for the South Central District of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). He was part of many conservation and environmental projects in the area.  He was committed to improving the outdoor life here in Idaho. Whenever people complained about the wind in Twin Falls, he’d always say, “That’s why we have the best air quality in the state.” 

Doug was a man of faith. He attended St. Edwards Catholic Church and was active in the Knights of Columbus. Later in his life, on a trip to Israel, he professed his personal faith in Jesus and was baptized in the Jordan River. For many years following, he attended Amazing Grace Fellowship. 

Doug lived a big life:

●     He was an incredible grandpa to his five grandchildren: Ben, Brandon, Abigail, Anna, and Cora. 

●     He built a family cabin in Pine, Idaho where countless family memories were made and relationships were deepened. 

●     He was a pilot and loved to fly his children on special trips when they were young. 

●     He ran his first marathon at age 66 and completed two more with his oldest daughter, Heidi. 

●     His favorite form of exercise was to walk the Snake River Canyon grade. 

●     He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft.) in Africa at age 72 with his son-in-law David. 

●     For nearly three decades, he enlisted friends and family to go on epic deep-sea fishing trips in British Columbia, Canada, and Ilwaco, Washington. 

●     He was a passionate hunter and took many trips with his friends and family for elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, antelope, deer, and pheasant. 

●     He was an Idaho sage hen champion. 

●     He started a hydroelectric plant in the Rock Creek Canyon that still produces electricity today.

His family, friends, and community will miss his presence, love, and adventurous spirit. 

We love you, Doug, and cherish the memories we’ve shared together. You will be a part of our lives and stories until we are together again. 

Doug is survived by his wife, MaryLou; his four children, Heidi (Jason) Houser, Sarah Howard, Catherine (David) Robinson, and Joe Howard; five grandchildren: Ben Houser, Brandon (Hannah) Houser, Abigail Houser, Anna and Cora Robinson, and his sister Barbara (Mark) Kevan.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Warner and Edith Howard. 

A celebration of life will be held at Amazing Grace Fellowship on Friday, April 5th at 11:00 am. 

Thank you to all of the incredible people who came alongside our family during the final season of Doug’s life. We can’t express enough how much your love and support meant to us, and a special thanks to Betsy Visser.  

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