Robert Dean Howard
November 9, 1929 - June 22, 2021

Robert Dean Howard passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021. He was born in Jefferson, Iowa on November 9, 1929, to father Lyle Edward Howard and mother Grace Agnes (Kirkham) and was brother to Margaret and Jerry.

Lyle and Grace moved the family from Iowa to Sunnyslope, Arizona in 1945. Bob created a lasting history with his wife Bernice of more than 50 years and together they had a large, blended family of 15 children, 34 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

A true entrepreneur, Bob was an appliance technician, Arizona Highway Patrol Reservist, and real estate agent for Cockrill Realty. He and his father Lyle founded Howard Realty, selling homes and businesses in Sunnyslope for decades. Not one to be bored for too long, Bob was also a restaurateur, owning Russ' Arbor (now the Spoke and Wheel) and Bobby D's Restaurant in Phoenix.

He was engaged in the Sunnyslope community at an early age as an active member of the Lions Club, Eagles, Sunnyslope Village Alliance, and Sunnyslope Little League. Bob was also a talented musician, starting at an early age playing the saxophone, guitar, and violin, traveling the Midwest with his parents and siblings in their family band. He eventually started his own band when he arrived in Arizona while attending Phoenix Technical School.

We will all miss his wit, humor, and larger-than-life personality. We love you and we will miss you beyond measure. We love you to the moon, pop.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at 4:00 PM with funeral services following at 5:00 PM, Hansen Mortuary Desert Hills, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Services will be live-streamed at https://vimeo.com/567630067

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