Howard Solheim

Howard Solheim, 93, of Reisterstown, Maryland, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.  He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 1, 1930, the youngest child of Peter and Alfhild Solheim. He had an older brother, Austin, and two older sisters, Anna and Edith. Peter was a civil engineer and Alfhild was a homemaker.

The Great Depression affected Howard's family greatly. His father lost his job, the family lost their house, and the decision was made for Howard's mother and his siblings to return to their home country of Norway, while his father remained in Chicago to look for work. Unfortunately, by the time his father found work, and saved enough money to bring them back, World War II had begun. Howard and his family would not return to the United States for sixteen years. Howard enlisted in the army at eighteen and was stationed in Germany as part of the signal corps. His work in the army piqued his interest in electronics and after his discharge, he became an electrical engineer. He worked for most of his career at ATT.

On September 5, 1959, Howard married Karen Keenan Solheim. Together, they have two children, Greg Solheim (Tracy Kelly Solheim), and Diane Solheim Brown (Gordon Brown), and four grandchildren, Kirsten Brown Kennedy (Conor), Austin Solheim, Catherine Brown Lyons (Emerson), and Meredith Solheim.

Howard was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for over 58 years.

Howard will always be remembered for his love of tinkering and puttering, and his ability to fix anything, including building his own computer. He also enjoyed taking care of the lawn, gardening, going on long walks and dancing. He was a big sports fan, too, cheering on his beloved Cubs and Orioles during the summers and the Ravens during the fall.

We could not have asked for a better husband, parent, and grandparent. Howard's memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him forever.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, October 20, from 6-8 pm, at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 21, at 10:30 am, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 109 Main Street, Reisterstown, MD 21136.

Interment to follow in All Saints Cemetery, Reisterstown, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered in Howard's memory to Trinity Lutheran Church, 109 Main Street, Reisterstown, MD 21136.