Don Howell

Donald Bruce Howell
June 20, 1950 - Reseda, California
November 1, 2019 - Los Angeles

The League is saddened to report the passing of Don Howell, one of our first members.

In one of the League’s earliest seasons, the Board appointed Don as one of two ex-officio judges. His membership dates to the mid 1970s.

Don loved the League. He was an active player for many years before his health forced him to retire. He regularly entertained us with his Santa Claus outfit at our Fall Awards Banquets. We especially remember his performances at our major anniversary events - Trouper’s Hall (10th), the Westin Bonaventure Hotel (25th) and at the Sportsman’s Lodge on the occasion of the League’s 50th season celebration.

The last League event Don was physically able to attend with great effort was the Fall 2009 Awards Banquet held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at MoonShadow when the League presented the Special Recognition Award to Frank Bustamante. Don considered Frank to be a dear friend and wanted to be present.

Don played for numerous sponsors over more than sixty seasons - A partial list includes the In Touch East, Bunkhouse, Shooters, JOX, The Rusty Nail (FUBAR) and Eagle LA. He represented us at WCC XLII (January 2001) in San Francisco finishing 7th in the WCC Open Individuals. He qualified for the delegation with his sixth place Open Individual slot from the Fall 2000 season.

Don was an expert Life Master Bridge player who taught professionally and often partnered with his students who strived to attain Life Master status.

Many years ago, he found employment in the medical reporting and billing field and was hired by Bill Hoover and Orlando Leung of UltraMED. Don eventually worked from his apartment and was still employed by UltraMED at the time of his passing.

Don served in the Navy and was stationed in Guam. He will be buried in the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside. He was the son of Eugene and Ruth (néé Lampton) Howell and is survived by a brother Ken and Brenda.

Photo and obituary:
Jeffrey Hersh

Additional Obituarty from Ken Howell

Donald Bruce Howell was born in Los Angeles, in June of 1950. He was the youngest of three children.  Don’s early years were happy, the family enjoyed camping in the Sierras, lake and ocean fishing, playing cards and board games. He received a violin (a Stradivarius copy) and started lessons. But Don preferred the piano. He became an excellent player and even played professionally in lounges as an adult.

The family moved several times, from Hollywood to Van Nuys, to Northridge, to La Crescentia and finally back to Reseda. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1968.
After High School, Don joined the Navy and served on the U.S.S. Proteus (AS19) as a submarine tender home ported in Guam. He was Honorably Discharged as an Electronics Mate Third Class Petty Officer in 1970.  Don went back to school on the G.I. Bill, initially at UCLA, and then at Los Angeles City College where he received an Associate of Arts degree and he also completed a Three-Year Certificate in Liberal Arts.  

Don worked as a bookkeeper, a manager for a 100-unit luxury Condominium complex where he supervised 16 employees. Most recently, Don was a medical biller, a job he could work out of his apartment. His employer was also a good friend and fellow bridge player who helped him a lot in recent years.

Don was very intelligent and was a member of MENSA. He was also a master bridge player, taught bridge professionally part time, and traveling California and Nevada to play and win tournaments.  On top of this, Don was also a champion pool player, and played for many years.

The last thirty years Don had endured several serious health issues that ultimately ended his life way too soon.   We will miss him a lot.  We will miss his intellect, his smart wit and his conversations that have been compared to poetry.  

Rest in Peace Don, we will always love and remember you.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the AIDS foundation

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
6255 Sunset Blvd., 21st Fl.
Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA
323-860-5200
www.aidshealth.org  

Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Boulevard
RIVERSIDE, CA
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Saturday, November 9th, 2019
12:15pm
Please be at the cemetery no later than Noon on Saturday
Plant a Tree in Memory of Donald