AKRON – Dr. Arthur W. Howard, formerly of Warsaw, died May 16, 2011, in Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. He was born Oct. 10, 1912, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dr. J. Arthur and Sylvia Ethel Knoels Howard, who preceded him in death. His wife, Esta, preceded him in death. He grew up in Arizona, California and the Midwest. A star basketball and world-class tennis player, he, along with his longtime friend Phil Miller and roommate Chuck Stuart, put Taylor University, Upland, on the athletic map. After teaching high school mathematics, coaching and playing basketball professionally, he taught and coached at Taylor University, then became athletic director of Huntington College. He also directed the YMCA’s Camp Dick Runyon and taught swimming and lifesaving for the U.S. Navy. He was called in 1944 to serve as a missionary educator in India. After some weeks in South Africa, he completed the voyage to Bombay. There the Mission Office put him on a train to Lucknow in the United Provinces. He served as vice president of Lucknow Christian College and principal of its College of Physical Education. In 1947, at the request of the new Indian government, he served on the Central Advisory Committee to develop the nation’s physical education curriculum. He coached athletics (track and field) all over India in the Raj Kumari Amrit Coaching Scheme and served as the Indian national coach from 1948- 62, when he became a founding member of India’s National Institute of Sports, Patiala, Punjab, being both coach and deputy director, technical (DDT). His star athlete, Milkha Singh, won the first-ever track and field gold medal for India in international competition, and remains one of India’s most famous sports figures. He completed his career developing the doctoral program for the YMCA College of Physical Education, Madras (now Chennai), India. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University, a master’s degree from Ball State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. During furlough years, he worked on the University of Michigan coaching staff with athletic director and friend Don Canham. He received an honorary doctorate and Alumni of the Year from Taylor University and the Buck Award for Excellence in Physical Education Leadership in India. He was a Christian missionary. After serving in India from 1944-77, he and his wife retired to Warsaw, where they were actively involved in the work of the First United Methodist Church. Surviving are his sons, Dr. J. Arthur “Jerry” Howard, Akron, and the Rev. Dale E. Howard, St. Paul, Minn.; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy. A private service will be June 11 followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Warsaw. Hartzler Funeral Home, P.O. Box 856, Akron, IN 46910, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials may be given to the Balar Kalvi Nilyam School in India through the United Methodist Church, Warsaw. Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
