Howard Lee Meloch

Howard Lee Meloch June 1, 1937 - Sept 15th, 2020 Born June 1st 1937, Howard Meloch was the youngest of Leo and Betty Meloch's four children. With the death of his Father in 1945 and his Mother struggling to keep the family afloat, Howard had to learn to make his way from an early age on Chicago's South Side. Never especially fond of school, Howard and his pals found any number of ways to occupy their time and make a few bucks, some of them legal. Howard did find honest work at age 19 when he became an apprentice ironworker. Before he could finish his apprenticeship, however, he received his draft notice and enlisted in the US Air Force. Howard served from 1960-1964 as an Airman First Class, conducting radio surveillance and communications in Turkey. "Fighting the Cold War," as he liked to say, though most of his stories from that period revolve around playing in pool tournaments across Europe. It was his next duty station, however, that set the course of his life. At McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington, Airman First Class Kathleen Ann Phillips was dutifully working as a payroll clerk when the smooth talking Southsider arrived. Kathleen and Howard were soon married and moved to Chicago. Four of their five children (Marie, Michael, Margaret & Robert) arrived in quick succession, and Howard became a journeyman ironworker in Local #1, building roads, bridges, and skyscrapers across the city. With work booming up North on the Mesabi Iron Range, Howard and Kathy moved the family to Zim, Minnesota in 1973 and their fifth child (Howie) was soon born. On the Range, Howard coached baseball, built lifelong friendships, took the first steps in his faith journey and learned to split wood. Lots of wood. Returning to Chicago in 1985, Howard finally got to see "Da Bears" win a Super Bowl and was reunited with his friends, his older brothers, and Italian sausage on a hard roll. Howard continued to work the iron in Chicago until he could fulfill his dream of retiring on a (walleye) lake in Minnesota. He and Kathy bought a home on Blue Lake near Zimmerman in 1994. As Howard liked to point out, it was only 39 steps from the back door to the dock. When not fishing with or cheering for his grandchildren from the sidelines, Howard's years in Zimmerman were marked by a profound deepening of his faith and acts of service within his church and community. He volunteered weekly at the Bibles for Missions Thrift Center and faithfully served as a prayer deacon and greeter at Zimmerman Evangelical Free Church. During retirement, Howard and Kathy also frequently road tripped around the country visiting friends and family. Howard's final years were spent at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks, Minnesota where he was known (as he was throughout his life) for his razor-sharp sense of humor and his readiness to pray for others. He passed away peacefully on Sept 15th, 2020 surrounded by his wife and family. Howard's legacy of hard work can be seen in buildings and bridges across the Midwest, including the Bong Memorial Bridge, the Standard Oil Building, McCormick Place, and the White Sox stadium. Howard was preceded in death by his siblings John Meloch, Richard Meloch and Betty Gauthier. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen and their children Marie Wiita (Richard), Michael (Karin), Margaret Manry (Dale), Robert (Michelle), and Howie (Cami). Howard is also loved and remembered by 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Memorials preferred to Bibles for Missions Thrift Center, 4713 N 36th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55422 or Riverside Chapel, 8706 Church Lane, Forbes, MN 55738. Visitation will be held Oct 8, 4-7pm at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home in Shoreview, MN and a Celebration of Life on Oct 9th, 10:00am at Living Faith Church in Circle Pines, MN. Howard will be interred with military honors at Ft Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If unable to attend in person, you can join the Celebration of Life at 10:00AM, Oct 9th using the link below: The link will go live at 9:50 a.m. on October 9th. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH-OmNJwrag&feature=youtu.be

Tributes

Howard Lee Meloch

June 1, 1937 - September 15, 2020

Tributes

Howard Lee Meloch

June 1, 1937 - September 15, 2020

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