Date of death: 3/7/2009
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1957
Norbert Clifton Howard, born July 6, 1930, in Whitesville, KY, died in Frankfort after a long illness.Cliff did coursework and held degrees from the following universities: Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, IN; University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN; St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD; Catholic University of America in Washington, DC; and Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. Cliff spent 13 years as a Roman Catholic Priest, teacher, counselor and school administrator in the Diocese of Owensboro.Upon retiring from the priesthood, Cliff married Joan Emily Hixson of Lexington, KY, and they settled in Frankfort. He then went to work in state government at the Cabinet for Human Resources. He was a life-long counselor to many individuals in need, which included work at Frankfort Regional Medical Center and New Decisions. Cliff has served on numerous boards and civic clubs in his home communities, most notably a longtime volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America.He started teaching history in 1957, which sparked an interest in the American Civil War. For the last 24 years, he and his wife studied Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, trying to understand our country from the President’s perspective. He often said: “Peace is the answer. He has been the recipient of numerous national and local awards throughout his career.Cliff is survived by his wife of 38 years, Joan Emily Hixson Howard; three children, Mary Howard, Doug Howard (Karen), of Frankfort, and Angela Howard Fay (Chip) of Big Rapids, MI; and four grandchildren, Maddie, Graham, Lucy, and Alex. He is also survived by a sister, Marcella Howard Schepers of Whitesville; and brothers, David Howard of Whitesville, Joseph Howard of Bardstown, John C. Howard of Owensboro, Mac Howard of Vine Grove, and Steve Howard of Jasper, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Elve Payne and John Louis Howard of Whitesville, and two brothers, Francis Howard of Moorestown, NJ, and Louis Howard of Murray, KY.Those wishing to make a donation instead are asked to consider: Mother Catherine Marie, CP at St. Joseph Passionist Monastery, 8564 Crisp Road, Whitesville, KY 42378 or the Mary Todd Lincoln House at P.O. Box 132, Lexington, KY 40588Published in the Frankfort State-Journal on 3/9/2009.