In Loving Memory of Howard Allen Plotkin
Howard Allen Plotkin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and father-in-law, passed away peacefully at home on September 9, 2023, at the age of 83 in Walnut Creek, California. He was born on April 18, 1940, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Evelyn and Oscar Plotkin. In August 1965, Howard married the love of his life, Eileen Jacobs, and remained married for 58 wonderful years.
Howard grew up in Houston, Texas, graduating from San Jacinto High School, where he was known as "Hap" and "Happy" which represented not only his initials but also his demeanor. He was a brilliant man who excelled academically throughout his life. He received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and continued on with his studies receiving his Masters in Statistics and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University. After completing his studies, Howard and Eileen moved to Houston to raise their family near his large and loving extended family and close childhood friends. They remained there until moving back to Northern California seven years ago to live near their daughters and grandchildren.
Howard's professional career included teaching as a professor at San Jose State University and the University of Houston. Later, he transitioned to working as a statistician in the private sector for companies including Pennzoil and Continental Airlines. He retired from Metro, Houston's public transportation system.
As accomplished as he was, Howard was even more remarkable as a family man. During his studies at Stanford, he met Eileen while she studied at University of California, Berkeley. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and shared dreams. Their bond was an inspiration to all who knew them.
In 2016, Howard was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Eileen lovingly cared for him throughout all of his treatments. There is no doubt that her love and complete devotion to him extended his life and enabled him to continue to participate in family occasions until his ultimate passing from acute myeloid leukemia.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Allan Jacobs. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Plotkin; daughters, Mindy Plotkin (and Dan Myers), Tammy Plotkin-Oren (and Arnon Oren) and Jody Barkin (and David); and his beloved grandchildren, Jake and Josh Myers, Ella, Dahlia and Nava Plotkin-Oren, and Eva and Rebecca Barkin; sister, Joyce Klein (and Ben), brother-in-law Jack Jacobs (and Janet), sister-in-law Janet Jacobs; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He delighted in spending time with all of his children and grandchildren while imparting his wisdom and values to them.
The funeral service was held on September 11, 2023 at Gan Shalom Cemetery in Briones, California. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 in memory of Howard Allen Plotkin.
May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory be a blessing to us all.