Dick Howard has long subscribed to a simple philosophy – one that’s kept him energized through decades of tirelessly giving of his time, talents and resources to make an impact on the community around him.
“If you have a passion for something, or you take a strong interest in it, then it doesn’t feel like work,” said Howard, a 1972 Saint John’s University graduate.
“As the Buddhists say, all work is prayer. Our Benedictine roots call us to ‘Ora et. Labora.’ Work and prayer. We channel our personal purpose into the work we feel called to do, and we try to do it to the best of our abilities. That doesn’t mean I don’t get tired or frustrated at times. There’s so much out there that needs to be done and we each can only do so much.
“But as Arthur Ashe used to say, ‘Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can,’” he continued. “I’ve always loved that approach and it’s kind of become my philosophy as well.”
One of Howard’s primary passions, of course, has been his alma mater. Though he went on to a successful 34-year career with Fairview Health Services, serving as a vice president in a variety of roles and as president of the Fairview Foundation from 2008 to 2014, he’s always found time to give back to SJU and the wider Johnnie community.
Those efforts have included serving on the Alumni Association Board (where he’s been a member since 2008), the Benedictine Way Committee (where he helped revitalize the annual Benedictine Day of Service event), the Outdoor U and Abbey Arboretum Advisory Council and on the board of the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville. He was also honored with the Class Achievement Award at his 50th SJU reunion in 2022.
In addition, he’s played an active role in recruiting students to both SJU and the College of Saint Benedict and has been a mentor and resource once they arrive on campus. He has chaired alum events, served as a class volunteer and started the Red Ride alumni bicycle event.
“Saint John’s totally transformed my life,” said Howard, a Benilde High School graduate who majored in biology and minored in philosophy during his time in Collegeville.
“I was young, only 17, when I first came to college and I had no idea what I wanted to do. My time at Saint John’s really helped me discover my passions and purpose.”
Howard’s devotion and service to SJU make him an ideal recipient of this year’s Fr. Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award – the highest honor bestowed by the SJU Alumni Association for service to alma mater.
The award is named in honor of Fr. Walter Reger, OSB. A priest, professor, prefect, dean and friend, he was the driving force behind the SJU Alumni Association for years.
“Lots of superlatives come to mind for Dick Howard — high integrity, spiritual gravitas, loving husband, loyal friend, great listener, ever present, humble, Benedictine, passionate for Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s,” said SJU Vice President for Advancement Rob Culligan ‘82.
“And now we can add one more thing to the litany: Mr. Saint John’s. Dick is a great man and a great alumnus. Like the Walter Reger Award recipients before him, he is a quintessential Johnnie.”
Howard will receive the award as part of Saint John’s Day ceremonies on the SJU campus on April 17.
“I cried when they called to tell me this was happening,” Howard said. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s so humbling. I don’t think of myself as having done anything special. I’m just doing what Johnnies and Bennies are supposed to do.”
But Howard’s contributions extend far beyond SJU. He and his wife Christine, a ‘74 CSB graduate (and the first woman lawyer from CSB+SJU) who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, are a big part of the Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation and lead the Team Howard Moving Forward fundraising team in the Twin Cities.
“It’s such a tough disease, but she’s doing relatively well for as long as she’s had it,” Howard said of his wife, as her care partner. “The folks at Mayo have been amazing for the care and research we need.”
“It hasn’t always been easy. But sometimes we’re put in situations because we have the skills to deal with them. I love fundraising and planning. Those are places where I can be of service. But it’s not just me. We have so many friends, a lot of whom are Johnnies and Bennies, who have made great contributions to the battle against Parkinson’s. I feel deeply indebted to everyone who continues to support us and works for the betterment of others.
After retiring from Fairview in 2014, Howard opened R.J. Howard and Associates, a consulting firm that works with non-profit organizations on business planning, philanthropy, organizational development and leadership coaching.
In that role, he worked with many organizations, including the Minneapolis-based Loppet Foundation, which brings together outdoor enthusiasts to provide opportunities for underserved youth and families.
“I mostly retired from all that a year ago, but I still have a couple of clients I come back to do pro bono work for,” he said. “That’s something that’s been really important to me – helping with strategic fundraising planning for smaller organizations that allows them to be more nimble.”
His love of the outdoors was kindled at St. John’s, and he remains an avid skier, biker, BWCA lover, lake and woodlands manager. He has been president of the Matthew Lake Association, an organization working to protect that lake in Northwest Wisconsin, and has been a steward of over 53 acres of a managed forest near his cabin in that region.
“I was so captured with the Arboretum at Saint John’s that I needed to create a smaller version of that on our woodland property,” he said. “It keeps me in touch with the Benedictine value of the sacredness of all life and reverence for all of God’s creations.”
Howard’s sister Diane is a 1974 CSB graduate and his sons Nick ’04 and Jon ’07 both graduated from SJU as well. Howard’s own next adventure will be as an oblate candidate with the Saint John’s Abbey.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Saint John’s, and for all it’s meant to my life and career,” he said.
“It will always be a special place to me.”
