Richard Howe Obituary

Richard "Deering" Howe, 77, of Jupiter, FL, passed away peacefully in his home, in the loving arms of his wife, Barbara, on December 2, 2020. Born October 10, 1943, in New York City, he was the son of William "Deering" Howe of Locust Valley, NY and Elizabeth Shevlin Howe of Minneapolis, MN.
The Deering family founded the Deering Harvester Co., which later merged with McCormick Harvesting Co., to create McCormick-Deering Co., later known as International Harvester. The Shevlin Family owned Shevlin Lumber and had vast holdings of timberland and, at one point, had the largest lumber mill in America.
Deering was a true Renaissance man in every sense of the word. Whatever he did, he strove to do it well. He lived his life at full speed and never looked back. He was a bright, sophisticated, handsome gentleman of the old school variety with a dry sense of humor. He had impeccable taste; whether it was music, food, wine or cars. His appreciation for the finer things in life was as boundless as his love of a good time. He valued integrity, honesty and good manners. Never one to mince words, if you knew him, you knew how he felt about you. His friends were from all walks of life. Their mutual admiration was evident and he will continue to live in their hearts forever.
Deering was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. His passion for fishing took him on countless adventures across the globe in search of the epic bite. Whether it be deep sea fishing for billfish in Venezuela, chasing bonefish on the flats in the Bahamas or wading in the peaceful waters of the streams in Maine fly fishing for trout and salmon, he was at home on the water. Deering and Barbara enjoyed spending their time off the grid at their farm in Maine, affectionately known as Deerbar Farm. Their time there was cherished and often spent hosting friends and family and immersing themselves with their beloved Mainers. Equally adored was his homestead on an what used to be an old polo field in Jupiter, FL. As a sportsman and jack of all trades he had a passion for polo and golf. His love of the outdoors inspired him to be a skilled photographer, orchid collector and Purple Martin Landlord. He was an epic groundskeeper. He loved to plan and cook meals together with Barbara using the freshest of ingredients from their meticulously cared for garden. Deering loved to hold court around the dinner table, telling the many incredible stories of his life and captivating his friends and family with the details. He had a laugh like no other. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and his legacy will live on in our memories through the stories he told.
His love and passion for music was a defining characteristic of his life. Reveling in the scene in the '60s he would go on to co-produce Gregg Allman's debut solo album "Laid Back." He and Gregg had a very special connection and kinship and their brotherhood will live on forever. Never one to be star struck, there are countless names that would casually come up in his stories that would make your eyes widen a bit in wonderment. He was lucky to find lasting, genuine friendships in both Eric Burdon and David Clayton Thomas and many more renounced musicians of the rock and rolls and blues era.
Deering is survived by his devoted wife of 35 years, Barbara Koch Howe; he loved his sons, William Deering (Gina) and Shevlin Flint (Mia); he was a doting grandfather to Lillian Catherine, Macon Shevlin, Flint Deering and Jude Layton Howe, all of South Carolina. Also survived by his sister, Mary Michele Rutherfurd; his nieces and nephews, Caroline Key, Timothy Key, Alexandra Oakes, Jessie Reid, Lily Goodale; many great nieces and nephews; his beloved Labrador Retrievers, Jackson Browne and Hickory; his mother-in-law, Marie Koch; sisters-in-law, Loretta Goodwin (Tom), Cynthia Middleton, Marcella Ramsey (Steve) and numerous nieces and nephews all residing in Texas.
He is predeceased by his half-sister, Sherley Smith Leonard and his half-brother, Paul Morton Smith.
A Celebration of his Life will be planned for a later date.
www.aycockfuneralhomejupiter.com