Howard Alan Cox, 93

September 07, 2024

Howard Alan Cox of Willow Street, PA, died Saturday, September 7, 2024, surrounded by his family at his residence in the memory care unit of The Glen at Willow Valley. Howie was born and raised on Colonial Drive, Mt. Lebanon Township, Pittsburgh, PA to Edwin and Leora Cox on August 26, 1931, and recently celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Howie was a Class of ‘49 graduate from Mt. Lebanon High School, where he played many sports and excelled as quarterback of the Blue Devils football team. He continued his football career at Harvard, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1953. After graduation, Howie served in the US Army as a Military Intelligence Specialist stationed in France. He went on to earn his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, and thereafter began a life-long career at IBM, officially retiring in 1989. When not traveling on business, Howie spent his leisure time playing tennis. After retiring and moving to Florida, golf became his preferred pastime although it was a love-hate relationship. In his final chapter of life, Howie returned to his native Pennsylvania.

Howie loved sports, especially his Steelers, Pirates and Pitt Panthers. He was particularly fond of ice cream, birch beer floats, and Manhattans, and thought that the American flag was the most beautiful flag in the world. He shared his personal computer skills as a volunteer tutor to fellow senior citizens, where his patience was often a virtue. He was humble, witty, lighthearted, generous, and the quintessential gentleman.

Howie was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Herbert Cox. He is survived by his wife Susanne M. Cox; his son William Alan Cox and wife Karen; his daughter Cynthia Cox Behling and husband Patrick; grandsons Christian Behling and Nicholas Behling; and granddaughters Kaylee Cox and Libby Cox.

Howie’s family will gather for a private memorial service in the near future. They extend their thanks to the compassionate staff at The Glen and are grateful for the support provided by Caring Hospice. Donations may be made in Howie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America www.alzfdn.org