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Howie will be missed

Editor, Index-Tribune:

    

  Late Sunday evening, Ken Brown informed me that Howie Ehret passed away.

  For those of us who knew Howie, it is a major loss. For those of you who did not know Howie, you missed knowing one of the many special people who worked hard and quietly to make Sonoma the great city it is.

  Howie was a volunteer for many nonprofits, doing whatever was needed to be done and quietly attracting others to assist him and the nonprofit entity.

  Howie was a meticulous leader when it came to planning each day and each event he worked on. For all the years we lived in Sonoma, the annual Ox Roast and the July 4th festivities on the Plaza were successful because of Howie. Each November, Howie would send out his announcement that planning for these two events would begin shortly.

  If you knew Howie, you knew of index cards in his shirt pocket and the trusty yellow, mechanical pencil. Notes and the day’s plan of attack were on those cards. He didn’t use Outlook for a detailed calendar.

  His commitment to his family and the city of Sonoma should be the example for all of us, no matter what age we are. He never asked for recognition. He did what he did because it was important to him to do so. As we say in Yiddish, he was a “mench,” a special person. We love you Howie, and miss your presence.

  Stanley Cohen

  Former Sonoma mayor

  Chicago