Robert /Bob "Bubba" Howe – Rochester

Bob Howe, 73, of Rochester, MN, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Methodist Hospital.

Bob was born December 4, 1950, in Duluth to Ralph and Elaine (Harrington) Howe.  In his early years, he lived in and around Fillmore County where he raised his kids with his first wife, LeeAnn.  During this era, he held an impressive variety of jobs, ranging from EMT to managing a bowling alley, from selling peanuts to selling cars. His longest running career was as a Sears service technician, where he was happily in his element for 20 years.  In 2006, after 13 years together, Bob Howe and Mary (Mitchell) Howe exchanged vows on a beach in Florida. Following their wedding, Bob relocated to Rochester to join Mary and her children. Since then, the two have made it a cherished tradition to return to that beach each year, while also enjoying many other traveling adventures together.  In his later years, he enjoyed tinkering, woodworking, and fixing things in his garage; as well as working part time at Ace Hardware, where he was able to lean into his passion for helping people troubleshoot their DIY projects.

Bob Howe will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his hard work, generosity, kind heart, and infectious sense of humor. He could fix just about anything, loved grabbing everyone's attention with his jokes, and took pleasure in studying everything from the Bible to Ancient Egypt. He enjoyed playing baseball and softball, listening to The Beatles and Johnny Cash, and engaging in lively discussions on almost any subject. He was truly one of a kind. "Bubba" was most at peace by the water or on a boat "up at the lake," and found great joy in being a grandpa.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Howe and her daughters, Meghan Mitchell and Veronica (Brandon) Holtan; his daughters Micki (Tom) Gartner and Nicole (Scott) Springer; and his son, Josh Howe; 13 grandchildren , and 2 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother Ronnie; and his aunt Harriet.

The Celebration of Life will be held from 12pm-3pm on Sunday, August 4, 2024, in the River Park Reception Hall at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester. There will be a Time of Remembrance starting at 1pm. Bring your favorite Bob stories if you feel able to share.

Memorials are preferred to Leukemia Research Foundation.