We -- the Diocese of Los Angeles and the Church of God -- have lost a faithful servant and great friend in Howard Happ. Here's the announcement that came from the bishops' office a few minutes ago: I am very sorry to inform you that the Rev. Canon Dr. Howard J. Happ, a priest of this diocese for nearly 40 years and a distinguished professor of religious studies, died March 27 at the Canterbury Episcopal Home Community in Rancho Palos Verdes where he was a resident. Howard died peacefully in his sleep; he was 68 and will long be remembered for his great friendship, intellect, wit, and commitment to the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Howard is survived by many admiring friends, colleagues and students.
Requiem Eucharist is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, at 5:30 p.m. -- preceded by visitation at 4:30 p.m. -- at St. Nicholas Church, Encino. Burial will follow in Waterloo, Iowa, where Howard was born May 20, 1942. Since 1979, Howard was professor of religious studies at California State University, Northridge. Previously at CSUN he was associate professor for four years and assistant professor from 1971 to 1975. Howard assisted at St. Nicholas, Encino, for some 20 years starting in 1978. He was curate of St. Charles' Mission, Northridge, from 1973 to 1976, and then assisted at St. Andrew & St. Charles, Granada Hills, from 1977 to 1983. In 1996 he began assisting at St. Bede's, Los Angeles, continuting until his retirement. Starting in 2000, he served at St. Martin in-the-Fields, Winnetka, and also occasionally at the Cathedral Center, of which he was named an honorary canon in 2006.
Most recently, Howard had assisted and preached at St. Francis, Palos Verdes Estates, and St. Nicholas, Encino. Bishop Robert Rusack ordained Howard to the diaconate in 1973 and the priesthood in 1974. Howard held an A.B. from Cornell College in Iowa, M.A. from the University of Chicago, B.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton University. Howard is the author of numerous theological articles, as well as a chapter in the diocesan centennial history, As We Remember.
Rest eternal grant your servant Howard, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.Your brother in Christ, +J. Jon Bruno.
I had the good fortune of being in Howard's first courses as an undergraduate at CSUN beginning in 1971. That relationship blossomed over the past 40 years from professor, to mentor, to friend. I stand squarely amidst a multitude whose lives were forever altered towards the better because of the blessings bestowed with the privilege of being counted as among Howard's friends. A dear and beloved soul indeed. ----- Rick Nyberg
ReplyDeleteI will post a link to both the service bulletin and the sermon from Howard's Requiem Eucharist on Monday. Jim Newman
ReplyDelete