I received the following email from Mike Crowley on 8/21/2007:

Hi Don,
 
I am a 1972 graduate of Tech, in Petroleum Engineering.  I married Howard Sylvester's first daughter, Lia, in May, 1972.  We have three grown daughters and live in Texas.  I was thrilled to see your comments about Howard on your Tech blog.  I knew him as a student and took a couple of literature classes from him and I was fortunate to get to know him very well in his personal life.  He was a quality guy and I will always miss him.  Frequently, things in my daily life bring back fond memories of him.  He died of cancer in early 1990 and with his zest for life he darn sure wasn't ready to go.  I am a very lucky guy to have met and married Lia.  She was the apple of her dad's eye and exhibits many similar traits.
 
Your comments felt great to read, Don, and are really appreciated.   Lia, after reading your comments, said "I wish my dad could have seen this".  He would have been pleased that his contribution helped someone and was remembered.  I'm sure that many students through the decades at Tech were helped by Howard, either with course work, or with examples of how to lead ones life.  He understood people and life better than anyone I've met and he was certainly a good example for us all.  We'll share your comments with the rest of the family and they will be pleased.
 
We haven't returned for 49er's in many years, actually decades, but if we do this year we would really enjoy meeting you.  If we go I'll get in touch.  Thanks again.   Mike Crowley