Robert Howard

Robert “Bubba” Alton Howard Jr., 58, of Shippensburg, was called Home by the Lord on the morning of Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Wednesday, August 7, 1963 in Harrisburg, a son of the late Robert Alton Howard Sr. and Elah Marie (Hartmann) Howard of Elizabethville, PA.

Those who knew Bubba best valued his intense love and loyalty for his family and close friends. Derived from a series of family tragedies in his early years, his protective nature and desire to take care of his mother, wife, daughters, and friends never wavered.

A devout Christian, Bubba loved God and his family above all else and was happiest when spending time with his beloved wife, Stacy, two daughters, Jessica and Josslyn, and his son-in-law, Tristan, who he loved as the son he never had.

An avid Penn State football fan, he loved watching and coaching sports. Some of Bubba’s most special memories involved passionately coaching his daughters in their various sporting endeavors. A naturally gifted coach, he invested a great deal of time and energy into pushing them to be the very best they could be in any sport they pursued. At sporting events, his boisterous cheering and encouragement would be recognized and appreciated by all.

Bubba was a 1981 graduate of Upper Dauphin High School where he played football and wrestled for four years. He later graduated from Mansfield University in 1985 where he wrestled all four years and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Bubba earned his Master’s degree in Administration of Justice from Shippensburg University in 1987. His love for wrestling and passion for helping kids led him to coach wrestling for 10 years at both York Vo-Tech and Dover High School.

A proven leader, Bubba dedicated his life to serving at-risk youth through various careers spanning four decades. He was especially instrumental in his role as the Chief Operating Officer of River Rock Academy from 2007-2020.

His fun-loving, playful sense of humor, mischievous tendencies and sarcastic remarks will be missed greatly here on Earth but will surely be appreciated in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife, Stacy (Reinhardt) Howard; two daughters, Jessica (Howard) Warner and her husband Tristan, and Josslyn Howard; and mother, Elah Marie (Hartmann) Howard (Chambersburg). He is also survived by extended family members including: brother-in-law Doug Reinhardt and wife Christina (Chambersburg), brother-in-law Christopher Reinhardt and wife Jo Ellen (Worcester, MA); nieces and nephews, Ashley and Derek Tannous (Chambersburg); Ally and Colin Fry (Chambersburg); Ethan and Styliani Reinhardt (Massachusetts); and Arden Reinhardt (Massachusetts).

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert A. Howard, and his sisters, Nancy and Vickie Howard.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grand Point Church in Shippensburg (246 South Fayette Street) on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to immediately follow at the Courtyard Marriott in Shippensburg (503 Newburg Road) beginning at 11:30 a.m., which is open for all to join! In honor of Bubba, the Penn State football game will be on the TV!