Alumni Hall of Fame
Service to St. Marys City Schools (2020)

Robert "Buz" Howard was a member of the Memorial High School Class of 1961. After graduating from Memorial, "Buz" Howard enrolled at Bowling Green State University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree. He later earned his Master's Degree from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Mr. Howard spent forty-four of his forty-seven-year teaching career at Memorial High School, teaching English to legions of Memorial High School students. Howard also devoted countless hours over his career to coaching, and keeping Roughrider football statistics. He coached tennis, basketball, and track.

Perhaps his greatest coaching success came as head coach of the Memorial High School Scholastic Bowl Team, which he affectionately referred to as "Sko Bo." From 1987 until 2000, his "Sko Bo" teams amassed twenty-four varsity tournament titles. In 1990, they would finish as high as third in the state of Ohio, regardless of school size. In 1996, his team finished sixth in the state. His teams also made two national appearances in 1989 and 2000.

Perhaps his greatest passions were chronicling the history of St. Marys Roughrider Football, and his beloved hometown of St. Marys, by writing and publishing five completed books. His works include Roughrider Retrospective: Memorable Moments From St. Marys Football History (2006); The Life and Times of Memorial High School (2012); Fat Charley Makley and the Dillinger Gang: The Great American Crime Spree of 1933-1934 (2010); The St. Marys Anthology: Tales and Sketches from an American Small Town (2013); and The St. Marys Anthology: More Tales and Sketches from an American Small Town (2015). The proceeds from the sales of these books supported Heartfelt Foundation, a charity that helps those suffering from heart conditions. The thousands of dollars raised for Heartfelt Foundation honored his late brother, James "Jace" Howard, and his late son, Thomas A. (Tommy) Howard, both of whom passed away at young ages due to heart conditions.

For his contributions to his community and service to others, Robert Howard was awarded the St. Marys Builder of Bridges Award from the St. Marys Community Foundation, and the Service Above Self Award from the St. Marys Rotary Club. Robert "Buz" Howard passed away on August 22, 2017.



In recognition of his loyal and dedicated years of service to his alma mater, St. Marys Memorial High School, and his commitment to his hometown, the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation inducts Robert "Buz" Howard into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation Hall of Fame for outstanding Service to St. Marys City Schools.

The above text, in its entirety, is embossed on a St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Hall of Fame plaque permanently on display in Memorial High School.