Douglas Andrew Howden

Doug, known to his close friends as "Sir Douglas" or by his call sign "Duck" in the Navy, slipped the "surly bonds of earth" for the last time on his final flight west, 15 May 2023. He quietly passed away in his sleep after a brief illness resulting from a fall at his beautiful home on the banks of the Columbia River in Vancouver, WA. Doug was born and raised in Oakland, CA where he graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in civil engineering. After graduation he joined the USAF where he served on active duty for four years. He often related his favorite assignment was being stationed in Germany in the mid 1950's where he was instructor pilot for the newly reformed Luftwaffe. Some of his students, 8-10 years his senior were former Messerschmitt 109 and 262 pilots from WWII who'd not flown in over 10 years. Doug trained these combat veterans in the T-33 first generation jet trainer. When returning stateside and off active duty he flew C-119 in the reserves out of Mather AFB near Sacramento. Using his civil engineering degree as his day job, Doug worked on various projects back in his home state of California. In 1965 his first passion, flying, beckoned and he landed a job flying for United Airlines. Living in the SF Bay Area another opportunity opened to fly with the US Navy reserves, flying the nimble carrier based A-4, Skyhawk out of Alameda NAS. During the Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War, his reserve unit was called to active duty so his UAL career was temporarily put on hold. After returning from active duty, Doug continued his career at UAL flying the B-737, B-727, and B-757, retiring in 1993. Post retirement Doug moved to Vancouver, WA where he enjoyed his lifetime love of the great outdoors, backpacking, skiing, playing competitive tennis and traveling the world. Doug was predeceased by his parents, James and Helen (nee Young) Howden, and brother Lindsey Howden. At his request his ashes will be scattered in his beloved areas of the the west. A small memorial gathering with close friends is planned some time later this year.Doug's quick wit and marvelous sense of humor will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched.

Douglas Andrew Howden

September 18, 1933 - May 15, 2023