Howard W. Ko

Ko, Howard W.
January 1, 1927 - November 19, 2019

Howard W. Ko was a uniquely wonderful man who made the lives of others easier and healthier. He came from a family of humble beginnings and tremendous perseverance. He was born on January 1, 1927 in North Burnaby, B.C., Canada, to grocers Yow Lee and Say Jan (Chan) Ko. Howard worked hard all of his life, first as a boy delivering groceries in a red wagon and later as a young man building ships during World War II. He was the first in his family to attend college and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of British Columbia and a doctoral degree at Purdue University. He said he spent every waking moment studying. Well, almost every moment. It was to his good fortune and lifelong happiness that he took a fateful phone call from his sister Melani who told him, "Howard, if you want to meet a pretty girl, come on down!" and met Helen, his future wife. Howard and Helen married on August 19, 1956 in Vancouver, Canada and immigrated in 1957 to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Howard began a 32-year career as a biophysicist with the UpJohn Company. He co-authored over 30 research papers and helped develop drugs addressing gout, organ transplants and a little product called Rogaine. Howard filled notebooks with experimental equations, tennis notes and dance steps. As a couple, Howard and Helen hit the town entertaining with the Chinese Association of Greater Kalamazoo, playing mixed doubles tennis and dancing the foxtrot at the Coterie Club. Wide-ranging and open-minded, Howard explored Christianity, transcendental meditation and Carlos Castaneda. He said Trump had a good effect on the stock market and he would have voted for Hillary. For many years, Howard enjoyed meeting "the guys" at McDonalds and always had the usual: coffee (six creams.) He lost his driver's license for a year, but Howard hired a lawyer, took driver's lessons and REGAINED his driving privileges at the age of 89. At 92 years old, Howard rejoined his beloved Helen and died peacefully surrounded by family on November 19, 2019. If you asked Howard his secret to long life, he would tell you about a supplement or two, to "keep breathing" and "drink pomegranate juice." And we do. Howard "Ye Ye" Ko is survived by children and grandchildren: Leonora (husband Nelson Brady); Barry (wife Sharon, children Ben and Tyler with wife Irina); Al (wife Jennie, children Jillian and Lizzie); sister Lorea (husband Guy Delain and daughter Moneca); and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list, but not forgotten. Howard is reunited and dancing "in the stars" with wife Helen J. Ko and is predeceased by siblings Patrick, Carilyne and Melani. Howard strongly believed in education and fulfilling one's potential. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the name of Howard Ko may be made to the Kalamazoo Promise, 125 West Exchange Place, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. A private gathering was held.