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Bob Howard, MRI engineer, dies at 54

by Philip F. Jacobus, CEO | January 27, 2012
Bob Howard (left)
and James Fower.
Bob Howard, well known MRI engineer, died on Monday, Jan. 23 in Chino Hills, Calif.

He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

I first met Bob at 6:45 a.m. at a job site near Philadelphia. He had worked all night cooling a magnet and was still raring to go.

Bob started working for Picker in the MRI department and also worked for Toshiba.

He was born in Florida, where his mother still lives. He also spent time in Dallas. For the last few years, he was working with James Fower at Calscan Medical and Mazin Faour with Variware in Southern California.

Bob was a veteran of the United States Navy. He worked long hours and loved to diagnose problems.

James Fower told me that he was an avid sports fan and loved to watch basketball and football.

Larry Knight, the CEO at Altima Diagnostic Imaging Solutions, and also Bob's friend, told me Bob called him once a month. Larry told me that Bob had a big heart and was always ready to help you whenever you needed it.

Bob had serious back pain. On some days, it really took its toll, but it never stopped him from driving 30 hours on a service call. He hated to fly and he actually preferred working all night rather than getting up early.

Larry Knight also told me Bob was a huge Starbucks fan and that if you needed to meet Bob, Bob would set the meeting at the nearest Starbucks. According to Larry, Bob could always tell you where the nearest Starbucks was no matter where you were.

If Bob was working on a technical problem, he stayed at it, stubbornly, until he solved the problem. I can vouch for this after seeing him work all night.

One of the funnier stories I heard was the time that Bob saw someone at a Halloween party and assumed she was pretending to be pregnant. When he complimented this lady on the quality of her costume, she was not pleased and it turned out it was because she was slightly overweight.

I can still remember him telling the story.

Bob will be missed.



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About Phil Jacobus

Phil Jacobus has been involved in health care since 1977, when he visited China to sell equipment. He has done business in 35 countries and still travels extensively. Phil is active in charity, helps rural clinics and always tries to help DOTmed users when he can.

Phil is a member of AHRA, HFMA, AAMI and the Cryogenic Society of America. He has contributed to a number of magazines and journals and has addressed trade groups.

Phil's proudest achievement is that he has been happily married to his wife Barbara since 1989, who helped him found DOTmed in 1998.

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Marshall Shannon

Bob Howard will be Missed

January 27, 2012 12:01

Bob was a wonderful personal friend with a warped sense of humor which made him a great friend; as I too share that warped sense of humor with him. He was always there to help in anyway he possibility could. He will be missed, and we send our warmest regards and sympathy to his family and friends.

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Mazin Faour

A True Giant is Lost

January 27, 2012 01:13

Bob was indeed family. Any holiday, or occasion Bob will be at my house or Jim's, plus the many football games that we watch together, and the numerous outings we had for no reason or whatsoever. His loss to all of us and me personally is as big as this man's huge heart is. It is well put by Phil about his commitment to solving problems. It almost seems as if "he likes this kind of work", which is very strange. :)
Bob, we miss you man..rest in peace my good friend.

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James Fower

Bob my friend, we miss you

January 27, 2012 02:17

Bob was a brother, a friend, a colleague that you can always count on. Regardless how bad it gets, a smile never left him. I am not a beer drinker, but a cold beer always tasted great with Bob. I have enjoyed many all nighter's of continuous work with Bob, he certainly was stubborn hard worker. Bob is already missed. See you later my friend "much later..I hope" this should put a smile on your face, you always enjoyed my silly jokes.

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Fred Faour

Hey Bob,,,,,,,,,,,,,

January 27, 2012 09:39

Hey Bob, I already miss you my big brother, No one can forget your smile .... No one can forget when you became a family member, I loved arguing with you over Wall-Street and Football !! ,, We all Love you Bob, Just like my Brothers said " You will always be missed and remembered, and will never be forgotten" . My best condolence to Bobs' Family in Florida, Also to my Brothers because they Lost a Brother and a Wonderful Friend. We all will Drink your Favorite Beer "FOSTER" on Superbowl At Mazins',,, We will miss you dearly, God Bless your Sole.

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TIM CHAVEZ

BOB THE SPORTS MAN

January 28, 2012 04:17

Bob was someone that I could always talk to about sports. He would read the news paper everyday and tell me what games coming up would be worth watching.He was a real sports NUT. I will miss talking sports with you.

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hassan assadi

a friend, teacher

January 28, 2012 06:05

Bob you will truly be missed. of all the times i joke around and get under your skin you always smiled and said: "no matter how much you annoy me i can never stay upset at you." what a great personality, you were a very patient person and always tried to teach me as much as possible. thank you for being a great friend bob. see you when i see you good friend.

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Laurie Regan

Bob, Not Goodbye Just Until by Bob's Mom

February 05, 2012 02:09

Bob has always had a big and generous heart. He has helped each and every person he loved, whenever there was a need. That was especially true for me, his mother. "Just call Bob" and he would help.
Bob and I have had many heavy arguments over the years especially the "teen" years. In the later years, we fought over golf, football and politics. I always knew he loved me, and he knew I loved him.
I wasn't happy, when Bob wanted to join the service, but he and his recruiter convinced me. Bob had told me most of his friends were in trouble. He had no idea of what he wanted to do or become, but the recruiting tests had provided an opportunity to learn various things of interest. Maybe this could direct his future,.. and he was right,
The Navy trained him to be able to work on MRI's, and he truly loved his work. You are always at your very best doing the things you love. Thru his work on MRI's, he met many people, and they became the friends he cared for deeply...an extended family.
Bob was lucky to have a loving California family, and a loving, although scattered biological family.
We all have memories of his smile, generosity, work ethic and his loud contagious laugh. We each will miss him in our own unique way, but we each have many memories to help keep him close.
When Bob's sister Cathy died in 1973, someone told me or sent me a card meant to be helpful..."Our children are gifts from God on loan. Love them. celebrate them and enjoy them until God calls them home."
I know Bob is with his sister, Cathy, his nephew, Tom, his grandparents, aunts uncles, friends and our pets. We know he is surrounded by love, and hopefully, he has found freedom from pain and peace. In due time, we will all join Bob.
Next time you hear the heavens thunder, it may remind you of his booming laugh.
Bob was a wonderful son. I will always love him and keep him in my heart.

In loving memory,

Bob's mom

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Laurie Regan

My Brother Bob

February 05, 2012 02:09


I would like to begin with a sincere, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has posted here. Reading your comments has brought tears to my eyes, but it has been very comforting to know that my brother had so many friends who loved and cared for him.

Although Bob was a year younger than me, he took it upon himself to be the Big Brother of the family. He looked after all of us. If we needed anything he would always be ready to help.

As kids we were very close and tried to watch out for each other. I remember a few times Bob would skip school. I would cover for him by writing a note to the teacher to excuse him and sign our mother's name so he wouldn't get in trouble. After high school my brother went straight into the Navy. This was where he learned all his technical skills. His time in the service was 8 years. Because of this we were not able to see him for long periods of time. Soon after the Navy, Bob went to work for the Toshiba Corporation. His travels took him to many places including Russia and Pakistan. Once again he was away alot, but would always call to touch base and check up on everyone.

Because of all his traveling, it ended up being several years before he got to meet my husband Ken. Up until then, Ken had only heard stories about Bob from me and other family members. After awhile, my husband started joking that Bob must be just my imaginary brother. Finally, when they did meet, Bob walked in the door with a big smile across his face and with that great laugh of his, and introduced himself as "Bob, the imaginary brother". From that point on, Ken too came to love and think the world of him.

Another time when he was visiting us I totally forgot that his car (a Cadillac!) was in my driveway. In a rush to go somewhere, I ended up backing down without looking and hit it to the point that I busted his outside mirror. He came out and laughed it off by making a light hearted joke about "women drivers".

Bob had a such a fantastic sense of humor and loved to have fun. He was a great uncle to my kids and all four of them would look forward to seeing him. They all have many fond memories of their Uncle Bob.

I too have so many wonderful memories of my brother. He always had a positive attitude, he would never give up, he had a strong contagious laugh, he didn't have a mean bone in his body, he was always forgiving, etc.

My dearest brother Bob - you will be missed tremendously by all of us.

I was so lucky to have been blessed with you as my brother. I cherish all my memories and they will live in my heart forever.

I love you and will see you again in heaven.

Love Your Sister,

Laurie





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Laurie Regan

Bob, You Will Be Missed By Aunt Debbie

February 17, 2012 04:02

Bob, will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure to know him. Growing up with Bob was interesting. He was the only boy with five women in the house. He never complained or whined at us girls. I always remember Bob laughing at us “in a good way”. When I was married and had my first daughter Maryann, Bob stayed with me for a month and he was always laughing. Bob was very loving to my daughter he would have made a great dad. When I needed Bob’s help he was there for me without even being asked. Bob always gave 100% of himself where and when he was needed.

I will miss Bob and his laugh forever. Someday I hope to be wherever Bob is, laughing with him again.

Love Aunt Debbie

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