Howard M. Schmalz
The Times-Picayune, July 28 to July 29, 2015

Howard M. Schmalz
 

Howard M. Schmalz died at home under the care of friends and family on Monday, July 27.  Born in uptown New Orleans in 1946, he is pre-deceased by his parents, the late Theodora Ranlett and Howard Schmalz.  Loving husband to his sweetheart, Lydia Huggins Schmalz, for thirty-five years and most proud father of Philip Schmalz, now serving a residency in neurological surgery at University of Alabama in Birmingham.  Brother of Karen Polit and Patricia Altizan.  Brother-in-law to Lisa Huggins Wilson and Peter Wilson, and Peter Huggins and his wife Chris.  Uncle Howard to Ashley and Jeffrey Morici, Annie and Matthew Wilson, Andrew Wilson Peter (Pie) Wilson, Thomas, and Dabney Huggins.  A graduate of the Nashville Avenue schools of H. W. Allen, McMain, and Alcee Fortier High School, Howard also graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in Geography and Urban Planning.  He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1966 to 2002, a positive and life changing experience.  From 1970 through 1980, he was the Director of Planning for the Community Improvement Agency and served as President of the Gulf South Chapter of the American Institute of Planners.  He founded his real estate brokerage company in 1980, retiring April 2015.  It was in the early 1970's that his fondness for historic preservation began to grow.  This passion led to the purchase of his first home at age 25, an 1850s Greek Revival Italianate style masonry house in an inner-city neighborhood that was just becoming known as the Lower Garden District.  He worked with his fellow urban pioneers to place the area on the National Register of Historic Places and to defeat a proposed river bridge at Felicity Street.  He went on to provide essential leadership in establishing the Preservation Resource Center and was instrumental in organizing and launching the PRC's "Operation Comeback" in the late 1980s.  His assistance was also key to their efforts to save the Catherine Club, an historic home on Coliseum Square.  Howard received the Coliseum Square Association's Beverly Bryant Award for his dedicated contributions to the renaissance of lower Magazine Street.  He and Lydia were also active members of the Louisiana Landmarks Society and were awarded the Harnett T. Kane Preservation Award in 1995.  An avid sailor and proud member of The Southern Yacht Club, he also served on the Board and as President of The Round Table Club.  Howard was a past board member of Louisiana Landmarks Society, Preservation Resource Center, and Coliseum Square Association, as well as founder of The Midnight Gardening Society of Coliseum Square, the Black Creek Boys, a father and son canoe explorers group, and The Birthday Club, a secret society of revolutionary urban planners.  A perpetual optimist and consummate storyteller, Howard loved children and enjoyed writing stories for them each Christmas.  He provided great enjoyment and touched many hearts with stories of his adventures of growing up in 1950s New Orleans.  Over the years, Howard adopted the charge of improving the lives of others who found themselves, as we all have once or twice, down on their luck.  Howard had an impact on the lives of countless people in our local community.  When thanked for his encouragement and devotion to friends, he always remarked that it was only in return for the great love he had received from each and every one of them.  The family is most appreciative for his devoted caregivers, Leonard Walters, Andja Badry, Heart of Hospice, and the overwhelming love he received from his many friends.  Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue on Wednesday, July 29; visitation at 3pm and service at 4pm, followed by a celebration of his life at 6330 St. Charles Ave next to Audubon Park.  An avid preservationist, Howard asked that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Coliseum Square Association Park Fund, P.O. Box 50024. New Orleans, LA 70150; The Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., 70130, and Louisiana Landmarks Society, 1440 Moss St., 70119; or the Nicaragua Fund at Trinity Church.  Arrangements under direction of Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp of Metairie.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimerfh.com. Information, (504) 835-2341

Published in The Times-Picayune from July 28 to July 29, 2015