M. Cameron Howes

Cameron was born on March 21, 1944 in Oldbury, England. He graduated from Leek High School in 1963, and from St. Luke’s College Exeter where he received his teaching degree in 1966. To further his education, Cam traveled to the United States to study at the University of Oregon where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1967. His love for learning brought him to the University of Toledo where he earned a Master’s degree and his PhD.

It was at Toledo where Cameron met the love of his life, Sandy. They wed on June 21, 1969 in Belleview, Kentucky. In December 1971, they were blessed with a daughter, Andrea.

Cameron’s early career took the family to Winnipeg, Manitoba where he was an assistant professor and head soccer coach for 4 years at the University of Manitoba. However, opportunity knocked again and in 1976 he was appointed to the faculty of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Northern Michigan University. He served as the chairman of that department from 1978-1999. He was then appointed Interim Director of the Public Services and Conference Department (1994-1995), and Interim Dean of the College of Behavioral Sciences, Human Services and Education (1999-2000). During the 1999-2000 school year, Cameron spent time abroad in Hong Kong, China teaching at Hong Kong University and consulting at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Upon his return to N.M.U., he proudly accepted the position of Dean of the College of Professional Studies. He served in this role until his retirement in 2007.

From his very young years in England, Cameron could always be found on a rugby field or tennis court. In later years, he was an avid runner. He would often be spotted running in the early morning hours with his dog. His favorite running route was up and over Mount Marquette. However, he was always one to push himself so he would run that route not once – but twice! He was never one to sit still and was always active and on the go. Cam found such pride in restoring his British sports cars and loved taking them to local car shows in Marquette and Arizona.

Some of Cameron’s favorite hobbies included gardening, hunting and stained glass work. Cam loved gardening. He would work tirelessly planting, watering and tending to his garden. He always planted more than we could eat, but he loved this excuse to visit and share the bounty with friends and neighbors. While he would never consider himself an artist, Cameron enjoyed making stained glass lamps, clocks and windows. He made many items for friends and family over the years.

Cam was an avid deer and bird hunter until his health declined. His favorite time of year was the fall where he could be found in the woods setting up his deer blind and being with his hunting buddies at camp for opening day.

Golf was not one of his better sports, but he loved to play. He enjoyed a rare feat of obtaining a hole-in-one while golfing in an N.M.U. tournament with his friends.

During his lifetime, Cameron was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and served on the vestry for many years. He was also a board member of the YMCA during its formative years, active in the formation and development of S.A.Y. soccer, and for many years an active member of the Noon Kiwanis Club (President 1992-1993). He felt it was a privilege to serve on the Marquette City Commission for 9 years and served as Mayor in 1996-1997.

Cam’s 14 year battle with spinal ependymomas may have slowed him down physically, but his love for his family, especially his grandchildren, remained strong. He so enjoyed attending their school concerts, sporting events or telling them a new joke or two.

Cameron is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Sandra; his daughter Andrea (Bradley) Monnett; his grandchildren Braylon and Maria; his brothers Phillip Howes and Andrew (Rosalind) Howes, and his sister-in-law Ella Jean Cook. His surviving nieces and nephews include: Kate Flynn; Michael, Ian, Robert, and Andy Howes; Shulah Tindle; Victoria Reickert; Christopher Jones and Helen Woodward.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Arthur Kenneth Howes and Elizabeth (Betty) McClaren Sykes Howes.

There will be a memorial service honoring Cameron’s life at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at noon. The family will greet friends from 10am-12pm at the church. Following the ceremony, there will be a toast and celebration of Cameron’s life at the top of Landmark Inn immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make an expression of sympathy may kindly consider a donation to the Sandra L. and M. Cameron Howes Scholarship at N.M.U. or to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. John Bartlett and staff at U.P. Internal Medicine and to Josh, Cheryl and Tara at U.P. Home Health System. The Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at www. swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com