Ralph E. (Bud) Howland died peacefully on June 17, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph E. and Valma (nee Murray) Howland and his beloved wife, Doris (nee Drewitz.) He is survived by his girls, Rev. Deb Howland (Tom Jacobson), Pam Howland (Wendell Myers) and Linda Howland, and his much-loved grandchildren, Andrea, Peter, John and Julia.   

Bud grew up in Nashotah, Wisconsin and was graduate of Oconomowoc High School (1940). After his first year at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Bud joined the 15th Air Force serving as a radar mechanic in Italy. Following the war, he returned to Madison graduating with a B.S. in History in 1949.    

Bud and Doris married in 1951. He was president of Craftwood Corporation for 38 years. Bud was a charter member of the Oconomowoc Jaycees and Toastmasters. He was president of Toastmasters International from 1969-1970. Bud served on the Oconomowoc School Board from 1960-1983. He was a member of First Congregational,United Church of Christ in Oconomowoc for 64 years. He was a member of the Oconomowoc Rotary Club, a volunteer at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital and involved invited numeous other community activities. 

His family wishes to thank Bud's caregivers at Shorehaven and Seasons Hospice. A Memorial Service is being planned for this coming September. Visitation will be held from 4 PM until 6 PM on Friday, September 23, 2016 at the First Congregational United Christian Church, 815 S. Concord Rd, Oconomowoc. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the church with continued fellowship following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Congregational, UCC, Oconomowoc.