Charles Otto Howard

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Howard, Charles Otto of Edina, born October 19, 1931 in Minneapolis, died at home on September 24, 2017 from complications of pulmonary hypertension. Preceded in death by parents Charles B. and Dorothy (Lundsten) Howard, and first wife Ruth (Rykert) Howard. Survived by his wife of 33 years, Anita - his soul mate and partner in life; children from his first marriage, Charles B. Howard (Lynne), Donald Howard (Carmen Simonet), Marsha Howard Karp (Bill); grandchildren, Alex and Tony Howard, Jake and Ava Karp; sisters, Alice Bagwill (Bob), Karen Taylor. Charles attended Audubon Elementary, Fulton Elementary, and Southwest High School in Minneapolis. He Earned degrees at Carleton College, and Harvard Law School (focusing on tax law), where he graduated magna cum laude and was an editor for the Harvard Law Review. Charles' first job was with the Dorsey and Whitney Law Firm, working there for 10 years and becoming a senior partner. He left Dorsey to work as an attorney for the Cargill and MacMillan families and then for a short time at Northwest Airlines. Charles spent 5 years at Deloitte and Touche and then 2 years at Henson and Efron. He practiced as a solo attorney from 1978 to 2015. Charles liked a challenge. Beginning in 1978 he became an avid advocate for nonsmokers' rights. In 1983 he organized the first session for nonsmokers' rights as a part the World Conference on Smoking and Health in Winnipeg, Canada. In 1979, Charles became aware of the unfair tax treatment of the Great Northern Iron Ore Trust. He pursued litigation which failed but then went on to organize a small group of certificate holders and was able to have an amendment included in the Tax Reform Act of 1986 which freed the Trust from tax on its income and allowed the income to be distributed to certificate holders as long term capital gain saving the certificate holders many millions of dollars. Charles was a learned man with a wide range of interests and talents. He studied French, Italian, and even a bit of Russian. He and Anita made many trips throughout Europe, often by railway and car, favoring less traveled routes. Charles was a great fan of the performing arts, most especially opera. He served on the Minnesota Dance Theater Board in the 1970's. He attended Metropolitan Opera performances at the Northup Auditorium in Minneapolis, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, and of late, the live HD broadcasts in theaters. From the early 1970's until the onset of health problems in the late 1980's, Charles was a committed distance runner. He competed in local and regional marathons as well as the Boston Marathon and the Paris International Marathon. He was an avid bridge player and became a Life Master, traveling the country to play in tournaments. He continued to play bridge on the internet up to his death. Charles embraced life enthusiastically, invested 100 percent in all he did, and loved his family and friends with a full heart. A private family service has been planned. Memorials can be made to the Pipestone County Historical Society, 113 S. Hiawatha Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164 or to a charity of your choice.

Published on October 1, 2017