Victor Hugo Howe, 92, died peacefully March 30, 2021 at this home surrounded by loved ones.Born July 23, 1928 in Talent, Oregon, Vic was the youngest of six sons of Harriett May Nichols and Grant Ellsworth Howe.
His family moved to Longview, Washington soon thereafter, and Vic spent an idyllic childhood hiking, camping and fishing Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake. At R.A. Long High, Vic was an All-Conference running back and class Vice President. He had many neighborhood and high school friends who he stayed in touch with through the years.
Vic enlisted in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan, where he met his wife Ayako Sawa. He loved telling the story of their chance meeting and courtship, the unlikely pairing of an American GI and the daughter of a Japanese admiral.
After returning to the United States, Vic graduated from the business school at UC Berkeley and was recruited by Longs Drug Stores, which presented him with an opportunity to help build their presence in Hawaii. By then the father of two, Vic moved his family in 1959 to Honolulu. He spent his career at Longs, eventually overseeing the Hawaii district until his retirement in 1991.
Vic was a humble man with a great sense of humor and a deep well of kindness. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years and is survived by sons Grant (Deborah) and Robert (Mari); daughter June Sandrich (Paul); five grandchildren: Ryan, Mari, Matthew, Cyren and Pele; niece Kathy Gregory; and pal Mochi.
Aloha Dad/Grandpa. We love you forever.
Arrangements Provided By: Oahu Mortuary
