Howard Henn, loved his family, children
Howard Henn, 84, of Lewes, died suddenly the evening of Friday, March 24, 2023. He loved his family immensely, especially his children, Susanne Henn Malmos, Carolyn Henn and James Henn; and his son-in-law, Robert Malmos; and daughter-in-law, Melissa Knight Henn. He thought about his deceased daughter, Anne-Marie Henn, every single day since her death in 1982. He loved his seven grandchildren, James Malmos (deceased), Daniel Malmos and Ryan (Dana Spain) Malmos, Amanda McNally, Brian McNally, Katie Henn and Riley Henn (deceased). He was a huge fan and supporter of his wife of 59 years, Katherine Gabler Henn, in her many academic endeavors. He is survived by his brother, David Henn; his niece, Lisa Henn (Jefferson) Barr; his nephews, Michael (Debra Guididas) Henn and Peter Henn, and their children; and his sisters-in-law, Maggie Gabler (Glen) King and Mary Gabler (Bill) Dennis; and his nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Edward Gabler. He cherished his many friends, especially his Lewes longtime sailing buddy, Robert Porta.
Born in 1938 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Howard and Frances Higgins Henn (both deceased). Howard held a master’s degree in engineering from Columbia University. Early in his career, he worked for Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, N.J., on the Niki Zeus project. In 1963, he joined Bell Labs in Holmdel, N.J. He joined Exxon Research and Engineering in Florham Park, N.J., in 1966, and over the next 30 years, he worked as a project manager installing and upgrading computer systems at refineries around the world. In that process, he moved his family to Phoenix, Ariz., Karlsruhe, Germany, Neshanic, Pa., Punto Fijo, Venezuela, Surrey, England, Keeston, Wales, Houston, Texas, Baton Rouge, La., Hunt Valley, Md., Tokyo, Japan, Singapore, China, Milan, Italy, Benicassim, Spain, and finally London, UK.
He loved children, and as a young engineer worked on designs to allow children with cerebral palsy to be able to operate computers. Over the years, he was involved in the construction of several state-of-the-art safe playgrounds. He also spent years teaching computer skills to displaced homemakers at County College of Morris, N.J., for which he received an award from the State of New Jersey. He also taught computer skills at the Battered Women’s Shelter in Morris County. Most of his trainees found successful careers.
Howard was a set builder for the Barn Theatre in Montville, NJ. At age 70, he won the rookie actor award for his role as Old Hermie in the “Summer of ’42.” beating out a cast of very experienced teenagers. For many years, he served as a trustee at Longview at Montville’s HOA. In Lewes, he was a member of Lewes Yacht Club, Lewes Historical Society, and an Instructor member at the Lewes-based Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, where he especially enjoyed the company of the English Country Dance group.
A former resident of Westfield, N.J., where he belonged to the Christian Family Movement and enjoyed many long-term friendships, especially with his friend Deacon Tom Pluta. In death, he will return to them and be buried with many of them at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
A visitation will take place from 2 to 5 p.m., Friday, March 31, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes.
A visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 4, at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 506 Westfield Ave., Westfield, N.J., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.
The family has a special relationship with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 4301 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22203, nami.org, and requests that you direct any memorial donations you wish to give to this worthy organization from which Howard’s family has directly benefited.
Visit Howard’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
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