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Hopefully everyone is been made or being made whole , I spoke to Valerie and David and it seems most items have been located and shipped or are being shipped. I just want people taken care of and Howard’s name preserved .
Well, unless David stuffed a blow up doll and a couple of donuts in a box and shipped it to me (that one still makes me laugh) I’ll be made more than whole.
Wish I could’ve answered the phone when he called (work) to thank him more personally…but via PMs here he’s been great.
Helluva thing you pulled together here TJ and David, start to finish.
Well done sir. When it gets a little cold here and I head down to FL, I’ll definitely hit you and David up for a few cocktails if the timing works out for all.
Its crazy how it started by Snoriders thread posting his problems , me realizing something was wrong , contacting David to investigate, me finding his sister , to his sister agreeing she wanted everyone taken care of because her brother was a pain but not a thief, me getting a list of people missing parts , Valerie and David working the list and more , Valerie went through his phone contacting people she just thought had items there that werent on the list , to this finally coming to a conclusion and yes even Snorider will be taken care of , in the end I will miss Howard and our regular phone conversations
I was helped by him with my purchase and set up. He was a knowledgeable guy and will be missed by many ism sure. Sorry he had declining health and went so fast.
All,
My shocks arrived today. I was gonna just sell them, as is and new…but I wanted to remember what Ohlins felt like.
I wasn’t disappointed. A few turns and clicks…and it all came back to me.
David and TJ…I want to again, publicly thank you for seeing this through. I would greatly appreciate if you have time, to thank Howard’s sister as well.
I know how tough this is and how big of a part she played in all this as well.
The range of emotions from confused, to disappointed to helpless, to truly sorry for Howard and feeling a little guilty ..to being made more than whole again.
Cheers guys. There simply aren’t too many more like you out in the world…and we simply don’t hear about your kin enough in today’s times.
It’s crazy how it started by Snoriders thread posting his problems , me realizing something was wrong , contacting David to investigate, me finding his sister , to his sister agreeing she wanted everyone taken care of because her brother was a pain but not a thief, me getting a list of people missing parts , Valerie and David working the list and more , Valerie went through his phone contacting people she just thought had items there that weren’t on the list , to this finally coming to a conclusion and yes even Snorider will be taken care of , in the end I will miss Howard and our regular phone conversations
What You, David, and Valerie did here was very Stand Up. No doubt... but I'll add, you've been an absolutely fantastic friend to Howard for many, many years both in person and here on the site especially, and he was Very lucky to know you.
Just good job man. You have my upmost respect. If I'm ever down in Daytona for bike week again, and you're around, beer is on me...
Can't say it enough. When it's my time, I hope I have at least one friend like you... you did him right.
I gotta agree with all here. TJ, David, Valerie have all staid the course. There are, or were, many who disliked Howard. But he did know his shocks, and he did provide a service that helped many. As with anything, there is always someone who is not happy regardless of the situations. Reading all the posts, complaints about Howard, the sad realization that he had passed, then TJ and Dave stepping in to begin this process, really have impressed me. Like Dajorgejr said, there are not many people like you.
I wish to publicly thank the three of you, and any others who helped with this. This must have been very unsettling for Valerie to have to go thru and do this. Thank you all for your hard work and efforts. Happy to hear some, if not all, at least are getting their stuff back.
Thank you!!!
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 am so happy to read all the comments about Howard that he had people who cared about him and respected him . I lived with Howard back in the late 80s, we were together (on and off for a few years. He was a complex guy, really tough in a lot of ways also super smart and talented. He had a really loving soft side to him as well . I drove with him to N.J. when he gifted his grandfather with a Cadillac and also accompanied him to his sister Valeries country home . I remember him being so fascinated by his little niece who was maybe 2 or 3 at the time . I am sad to know he never married or had children . After we broke up I used to drive out to the home he was building to visit him . He was someone I never forgot , he was special to me . I am sad he was alone in the end .
Hi,
I tried calling Howard tonight to see about a different spring for my 3-3 (159) shocks. Sorry to hear he had passed last year. Has anyone taken over his business or do I need to deal directly with Ohlins now??
Hi,
I tried calling Howard tonight to see about a different spring for my 3-3 (159) shocks. Sorry to hear he had passed last year. Has anyone taken over his business or do I need to deal directly with Ohlins now??
Thanks, Randy
No one took over Howard's business... you'll need to deal with Ohlins or an Ohlins dealer....
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