Howie, age 74 years old, passed away on September 16, 2019 from a very, very, long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado for 33 years, and a former resident of Ferndale, Michigan.
Howie was born on April 6, 1945 in Highland Park, Michigan to Harold and Margaret (Norton) Vroman.
He graduated high school in 1963 in Ferndale, Michigan. Immediately following graduation, he was drafted and joined the Air Force, serving our great country for 22 years. Howie married his first wife, Ann Charlotte (Curtiss) Vroman on April 12, 1968. Ann passed away from a long battle with ovarian cancer. While employed with the Air Force he received in 1987 his master’s degree in Computer Resources Management. He then pursued a career with Kaman Science as a Senior Systems Analyst, then Lockheed Martin as a Logistics Specialist, retiring in 2008 due to the Parkinson’s. Howie married his second wife, Terri E. Holt on January 3, 1996 in St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Howie was a member of the Barbershop Society for 35+ years. He loved to sing and he enjoyed the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. to the fullest! Howie was an avid fan of NASCAR, collecting the die-cast cars, all the memorabilia and rarely missing a race! Howie was also a dedicated Broncos and Red Wings Fan. He had a DJ business, Expression Connections, and he played music at weddings, retirement and birthday parties, school dances and ran the sound for the Tree of Life Celebration, the Sweet Adelines and the Barbershop shows. He was a big fan of the Red Green TV show, a Canadian comedy on extolling the virtues of duct tape. Every fall he hosted a Red Green party and the guests that attended had to bring an item made out of duct tape. Howie made the most delicious cakes and was a professional at cake decorating. And last but not least, most important of Howie’s obsessions, was Eeyore! Eeyore has a penchant for gloomy ruminations and his outlook on life produces some pretty great witticisms, which Howie just loved!
Howie is preceded in death by his first wife Ann, and his daughter, Tanya M. (Vroman) Caruana.
He is survived by his loving wife, Terri E. (Holt) Vroman; stepson, Samuel K. Decker; brother, Harold Vroman; niece, Kelly (Vroman) Burns; nephew, Michael Vroman; grandchildren, Aeriel (Vroman) Guzman, Cedar, Berkeley and Aiden Caruana; and two great grandchildren, Audrey and Avilyn Guzman.
Memorials in Howie’s name can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
For information regarding the memorial service and celebration of life, please call Mr. McNally at (719) 550-9252.
Christy Pennington
25 Sep 2019I was sorry to learn of Howie’s passing. I met him years ago through Trees of Life. He was a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor. He was the sound system for the Tree Lighting Ceremony for a long time. I will think of him fondly at this year’s event.
Wilma Post
27 Sep 2019Terry,
Bob and I are so sadden to hear of your great loss. Hope it helps just a little to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Mike Barwig
27 Sep 2019So sorry for your loss Sam.
Connie Myers
28 Sep 2019We will always remember Howie’s sense of humor and his ability to make others laugh. We will remember USAFA Parents’ Weekend, football games, hot air balloons, and his fabulous homemade crab bisque. He was the consummate host and entertainer. We will miss him and remember him with gratitude, love, and angel hugs.
Maura Houston
1 Oct 2019I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Howie at Kaman and he was always a bright spot in my day. His love for music always made me smile. Blessings, Maura
Carol Anderton
2 Oct 2019Sorry to hear Howard has passed on. God bless you Terri and know you were his pride and his joy as well as his chosen life partner. You did everything you could for him every day he knew this too. He is with god now but will remain in your heart forever and in this way he is never really gone. Thank you for marrying him and bringing such a wonderful human being into our lives. We are all richer for knowing him Take care. God bless.