Howard G Messner , Motorcycle Metals
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
Just a few more details , the VA said he had been deceased for weeks not days and physical identification was not possible that they had to do other methods to make the positive identification on him .
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
Hattitude , Thank You for these kind words , Howard was a complicated person. One thing we all need to realize is we are all born innocent, we become who we are because of things like where we were born , were we born into wealth or poverty , and then the roads we go down in life. Howard was born and raised in New Jersey , had a difficult childhood, joined the Marines immediately graduating high school , fought a war he was vilified for when he got home , do to his own poor decisions spent time in prison and then got out and built himself a successful life. Im not going to give details of things he told me after we became friends and he knew he could trust me but many things in his life formed who he was . Somethings were his own doing and some were not. But I spent time with Howard twice a year , at Bikeweek and Biketoberfest in Daytona , the rest were phone conversations. The Howard I knew was the one that always thanked a person in Military attire , or if he saw a veteran thanked them , bought a meal for a stranger in need or helped a complete stranger having mechanical issues. I often told him he was his worst enemy and if he let people see the real him his life would be easier, but that just wasnt who he was . He was the worlds biggest jerk at times and the very next minute its biggest friend.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
Very unfortunate all around, he deserved to go out better.
I bought shocks second hand from a friend who bought them direct from Howard…and Howard treated me like his very own customer.
Always answered the phone, always insisted…when you go to set them up, you call me.
Over the past few months, I could tell something wasn’t right.. he wasn’t his usual, gruff self…. He just seemed kinda distant and lost.
I was afraid this was going to be the outcome…and he deserved better.
TJ, you’re a good man for doing all you’ve done and are continuing to do for him.
I hope he found his peace.
I bought shocks second hand from a friend who bought them direct from Howard…and Howard treated me like his very own customer.
Always answered the phone, always insisted…when you go to set them up, you call me.
Over the past few months, I could tell something wasn’t right.. he wasn’t his usual, gruff self…. He just seemed kinda distant and lost.
I was afraid this was going to be the outcome…and he deserved better.
TJ, you’re a good man for doing all you’ve done and are continuing to do for him.
I hope he found his peace.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 456
From: The Great Midwest
Howard and I went many rounds here on HD forums.
But -
Howard served in Vietnam, as did my uncle and many others I knew when I was only 6 years old. They came back men that were “different”. Never really accepted as war heroes or men that were respected…it was just difficult for most that served in Vietnam.
The past is the past with anyone, and I feel terrible that he passed away alone while some of us were thinking and posting about him at that time. My heart breaks for him, I am truly sorry for Howard and wish him peace.
Tim (tj316) - what a friend Howard has in you still to this day. You have my full admiration and I hope that everyone here feels the same. Hopefully our paths cross someday, I’d give anything to shake your hand and share a drink over some “Howard stories”…..
But -
Howard served in Vietnam, as did my uncle and many others I knew when I was only 6 years old. They came back men that were “different”. Never really accepted as war heroes or men that were respected…it was just difficult for most that served in Vietnam.
The past is the past with anyone, and I feel terrible that he passed away alone while some of us were thinking and posting about him at that time. My heart breaks for him, I am truly sorry for Howard and wish him peace.
Tim (tj316) - what a friend Howard has in you still to this day. You have my full admiration and I hope that everyone here feels the same. Hopefully our paths cross someday, I’d give anything to shake your hand and share a drink over some “Howard stories”…..
Last edited by lyork; Apr 23, 2022 at 11:52 AM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 25
From: Washington State
My condolences to you, Tim. Your reflection on the loss of your friend is noteworthy, and I'm sure he would appreciate your kind thoughts and words. I didn't know Howard, but I will simply offer a RIP to a fellow Marine...
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 177
Likes: 244
From: IN
I bought shocks from Howard in 2018. When I called him to order the shocks, I had all the stories I had read about him in the back of my mind.
I had done my homework on both what I wanted and what he offered. I didn't want to come across as a fool, and get on Howard's bad side...
We had a pleasant conversation, and he asked me several times if I had any questions... and offered some install tips. He mentioned several times to call him when I installed them and set them up if I had any questions... he said he'd walk me through it..
The best part of our conversation came when we were discussing the price. He offered a discount for forum members. When I told him my screen name was "Hattitude", he recognized my screen name. He brought up a couple threads I had posted on, and we talked for another 20-30 minutes..
Howard could be more than a little blunt. I would cringe from time to time while reading some of his posts, but I experienced none of his "bluntness" in my dealings with him.
He sold me a great product, at a very competitive price, and offered extremely good customer service.. I thank him for that..
I read the other thread complaining about Howard refusing to refund a guy's money or provide the product. Not knowing the OP, I initially thought the OP was being dramatic and leaving out a bunch of the story. (my apologies, SnoRider...!) I didn't believe Howard was a crook, and the OP seemed content to let his saga drag on, and on, and on..
The longer that thread went on, the more concerned I became about what was happening. I started to think Howard was dealing with a medical issue.. I was suspecting more of a dementia situation (I saw my Mom go through that) rather than a serious health risk.... but I just got the feeling he was in trouble.. I didn't know Howard near well enough to even know if he had family and friend support around him, or if he was pretty much alone... as it turns out he was...
I'd like to publicly thank Tim (tj316) for being such a good friend to Howard. He was a good friend by defending Howard when those who never missed an opportunity to take a shot at Howard, would constantly malign him, and he stepped up when it became obvious that something was wrong.... His friendship continues even now that Howard has passed, as he has taken on the job of ensuring Howard gets the proper respect, as a marine, in his death.... Kudos Tim..!
RIP Howard, and Godspeed...!
I had done my homework on both what I wanted and what he offered. I didn't want to come across as a fool, and get on Howard's bad side...
We had a pleasant conversation, and he asked me several times if I had any questions... and offered some install tips. He mentioned several times to call him when I installed them and set them up if I had any questions... he said he'd walk me through it..
The best part of our conversation came when we were discussing the price. He offered a discount for forum members. When I told him my screen name was "Hattitude", he recognized my screen name. He brought up a couple threads I had posted on, and we talked for another 20-30 minutes..
Howard could be more than a little blunt. I would cringe from time to time while reading some of his posts, but I experienced none of his "bluntness" in my dealings with him.
He sold me a great product, at a very competitive price, and offered extremely good customer service.. I thank him for that..
I read the other thread complaining about Howard refusing to refund a guy's money or provide the product. Not knowing the OP, I initially thought the OP was being dramatic and leaving out a bunch of the story. (my apologies, SnoRider...!) I didn't believe Howard was a crook, and the OP seemed content to let his saga drag on, and on, and on..
The longer that thread went on, the more concerned I became about what was happening. I started to think Howard was dealing with a medical issue.. I was suspecting more of a dementia situation (I saw my Mom go through that) rather than a serious health risk.... but I just got the feeling he was in trouble.. I didn't know Howard near well enough to even know if he had family and friend support around him, or if he was pretty much alone... as it turns out he was...
I'd like to publicly thank Tim (tj316) for being such a good friend to Howard. He was a good friend by defending Howard when those who never missed an opportunity to take a shot at Howard, would constantly malign him, and he stepped up when it became obvious that something was wrong.... His friendship continues even now that Howard has passed, as he has taken on the job of ensuring Howard gets the proper respect, as a marine, in his death.... Kudos Tim..!
RIP Howard, and Godspeed...!
Truly sorry for the outcome, no one should go out like that, He was one of a kind