Howard N. Byer Obituary (1930 - 2016)

Howard N. Byer, age 86, passed away on November 4, 2016. Howard always saw the glass as half full and remained an optimist all of his life, even when the occasional misfortune struck. He had a ready sense of humor and applied the light touch to most things except when a serious approach was necessary. He was a good and reliable family man and a source of friendship to those who sought it. He was born September 15, 1930 to the late Herbert and Celia Byer, who raised him and his sisters, Ellen and Eve, in a loving, caring way. He was a graduate of Columbus Academy and obtained his BA degree from Colgate University and MA degree from the graduate school of journalism at Columbia University. Howard served 4 years in the Air Force during the Korean War in San Antonio, Syracuse and England. His career took him into journalism, the corporate world, advertising, running his own business and state government. While in New York, he worked for United Press International and IBM. In Columbus, he joined Byer & Bowman Advertising Agency and later started his own advertising and public relations agency, The Howard Byer Company. He concluded his career as public information officer for the Ohio Department of Taxation where he edited two publications and launched public service campaigns in television. In 1978-79, Howard served as President of the Central Ohio chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. In 1979, he received the chapter’s Distinguished Practitioner award. Howard was active in sports all his life, including baseball, racquetball, bowling and golf. In 1970, he won singles and all events in the B’nai B’rith Bowling Assoc. regional tournament. In 1986, with no training at all, he entered the Senior Olympics held at Bexley High School and won the 50-meter event and finished second in the 100-meter. He was active in the community, volunteering with Voicecorps, the mentoring program at Marion Correctional Institution, English as a second language for Russian immigrants, Columbus Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center and other groups. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; son, Andrew (Tina); daughter, Heather (Mathew Samuel) Byer; step children, Lisa (David) Slater, Carl Brugger and fiancé, Lisa Roby, Mark (Carol) Brugger; grandchildren, Rachel Byer, Alexander Byer, Willa Samuel, Veronica Slater, Shana Slater, Joshua Brugger and Daniel Brugger. Preceded in death by his sisters, Eve Byer Goldsten and Ellen Byer Friedlander. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 9 at Temple Beth Shalom, 5089 Johnstown Rd., New Albany. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery – Temple Beth Shalom section. Shiva will be observed at the Byer residence on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Temple Beth Shalom www.tbsohio.org, the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org or the National Stroke Association www.stroke.org