Obituary of Ralph Cook Howland

On his 98th birthday, Ralph Cook Howland completed a remarkable journey and passed peacefully in Neptune, New Jersey. A gifted storyteller, a devoted friend, and a man of deep generosity, Ralph lived a life rich with adventure, service, laughter, and love. His warm heart, and endless supply of stories touched generations of family and friends, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him. Ralph was born on June 2, 1928, in Avon-by-the-Sea and was raised in the Asbury Park area, a community to which his family had deep roots. His father, Cook Howland, was a local mayor and contractor known for building homes and tennis courts throughout the region. His mother, Esther Ann Schanck Howland, cherished Ralph as her only child. He also had two much older half-sisters, Hazel May Howland and Iola Jeanett Howland, from his father's first marriage. The Howland family history was closely intertwined with the communities of Monmouth County, where several generations lived and worked. After graduating from Asbury Park High School, Ralph enlisted in the United States Coast Guard at the age of eighteen. What followed was a distinguished thirty-year military career that carried him around the globe. His service took him to the Arctic, Italy, Guam, Vietnam, Japan, and many places in between. Rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, Ralph became an expert in navigation and tracking technologies during a transformative era in maritime operations. He worked extensively with systems such as LORAN, RADAR, and Radio Direction Finding, helping guide vessels safely through seas long before the age of satellite navigation and GPS. Retiring from the Coast Guard in 1976 at the age of forty-eight, Ralph embraced a second chapter with characteristic energy and curiosity. He attended college and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science in 1981. After working for Atlantic City, he spent many years with the Danish company Danfoss before retiring in 2000 at the age of seventy-two. Service to others remained a central theme throughout Ralph's life. Since 1976, he was an active and beloved member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Waretown. He also found fellowship through the Quaker community, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Freemasons. Whether through charitable giving, volunteer service, or simply offering a helping hand, Ralph quietly and generously supported countless people throughout his life. Above all, Ralph treasured family. He is survived by his daughters, Rosemary Howland Perkins (Robbie) and Anne-Marie Howland (Annie), and by his stepdaughter, Eileen Lohrmann (Ei). He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren, whose lives were enriched by his wisdom, humor, and steadfast love. His grandchildren are Tommy Perkins, Danya Docette, Peter Tchang, Sophie Tchang, Amber Howland, Leslie Beason and Christopher Beason, Great grandchildren Nevaeh Perkins, Bryson Perkins, Kaiser Perkins, Clay Salos, and River Salos. He is further survived by his cousin, Steven Howland, and by the many members of his extended family who became an important part of his life. Over the last seventeen years, Ralph grew especially close to his extended stepfamily, including Eileen Lohrmann's children, John, Elizabeth, and Julie, and their children Maya, Matthew, Abigail, Zachary, and Nikolas. He is also survived by his stepson, Rick Bunker, his children Cean, Jennifer, Kelsey, and Kyle, and their children, all of whom held a special place in his heart. Ralph was preceded in death by his beloved daughters, Belinda Hope ("Button") and Katherine ("Kitty"), and by his granddaughter Lindsey. He was also preceded in death by his wives, Doris W. Stevens, Dorothy Johanna Klima, his wife of forty-two years, and Frances Bernice Bunker "Tootie.” Ralph and Tootie often described one another as soulmates, and in accordance with their wishes, their ashes will be united and scattered together in the Atlantic Ocean. Ralph's life spanned nearly a century of extraordinary change. He witnessed wars and peace, technological revolutions, and the growth of generations of family and friends. Through it all, he remained curious, generous, resilient, and deeply connected to the people around him. Those who knew Ralph will remember his laughter, his stories, his unwavering willingness to help others, and the way he made people feel welcomed and valued. The tides that carried him across the world have now carried him home. May fair winds and calm seas accompany him on his final voyage. A service will be held on Sunday June 14th 2026 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Waretown New Jersey at 2 pm.