A Life of Service and Dedication

In Memoriam

HOWARD T. EASTON
May 8, 1905–May 7, 1998
George Shattuck Morison Professor of Latin, emeritus

Howard came to Exeter in 1932 in the department of Latin. Prior to his appointment, Howard had been pursuing advanced graduate degrees in classics at Johns Hopkins University where he earned his A.M. He had also taught for two years at Western Maryland College and was for two more years assistant professor at Ohio Wesleyan University. Although originally intent upon pursuing studies toward the Ph.D., the depression made that very difficult, and Howard opted to apply for a position teaching at Exeter, at least for the short term. His recommenders were overflowing with praise for him. One of the statements most prophetic for Howard's career was that submitted by Professor Tenney Frank of Johns Hopkins University, that "...Easton is a born teacher and will probably do more good through life guiding and teaching boys than in struggling with the problems of research." Howard did that and more. He well understood the meaning of "goodness" and John Phillips' injunction to the faculty that "...above all, it is expected that the attention of instructors to the disposition of the minds and morals of the youth under their charge will exceed every other care...."

When Howard arrived at Exeter, he embarked upon what was to be an extraordinary career in secondary education. He began that career with immediate occupancy in a dormitory, counseling boys, not only his advisees, but in general anyone who might be in need of help or advice. His tenure covered well over 30 years of dormitory service, beginning in Sleeper House, then with stints in Webster and Merrill Halls. In 1959, Principal Saltonstall asked Howard to accept the position as head of Cilley Hall. During his time in the dormitory, Howard and his wife Harriette raised their two children, Marilyn and Bob, amidst a peripheral family of advisees and students. He was never too busy or too tired to converse with students, to entertain them in his home, and to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. This last was not relegated to students alone, but extended to members of the adult community both old and new.

Howard's career at Exeter bridged two cardinal moments in the history of the Academy: He had come to Exeter in 1932 at the beginning of the Harkness system of education and retired just as co-education was beginning. That span was marked by well-established tradition, a faculty of long standing tenure, and a curriculum which had stood the test of time and had impressed both our sister schools and colleges alike.

Howard was one of the 'triple threat' faculty whose excellence was not confined to the classroom but reached into athletics, extracurricular activities, and dormitory supervision. He was a master at all of them. In the classroom, Howard began his career teaching Greek (which apparently was of primary importance to him in his major field of classics). Thereafter, he confined his teaching to Latin language and literature. Many of his students went on to pursue studies in classics at the college and graduate level and entered the field of university teaching. One eminent scholar in the field of classics remarked at an alumni gathering that Robin Galt had been the elder statesman of the school and then turned his attention to Howard and quipped "Howard, you gave me my best grade of anyone in the department." That grade was a D+! Howard also made a point of writing to Principal Saltonstall to commend individual members of his classes for their industry or improvement. There is mention made in one of his notes of a young man who had risen from a grade of D to that of C+ by the end of the year. Be it remembered that for a long time, C+ was acknowledged as the average grade of the entire school. For the final two years of his teaching career, Howard had been appointed the George Shattuck Morison Professor of Latin, an honor held by many illustrious predecessors and subsequent members of the department. Howard was devoted to his classroom and what transpired therein. In an unheralded—and peculiarly Howardian—way, he made a point of taking a photograph of each of his classes at the end of the year. It is well to remember that for most of his career at Exeter, instructors taught each class for the entire year.

In areas outside the classroom, Howard was deeply involved in coaching lacrosse and was a moving force in the establishment of the Academy rifle club, which he nurtured from very small beginnings to a full-fledged company occupying the basement of the Academy Building.

Teaching a full load of courses, being a dormitory adviser for well over 30 years, and engaged in a number of extracurricular activities and committee assignments, Howard worked for the Academy in what might well seem more than full-time employment. Yet even more astonishing to the current mind is that he found the time to be so intimately involved in areas beyond the scope of Academy business. He was an historian with the Exeter Historical Society, was a deacon in his church and a member of the pastoral search committees. He was a generous and philanthropic man and practiced tithing to his church. He was a founder of the New Hampshire Classical Association, a co-founder, with J. Appleton Thayer of St. Paul's School, of the Vergilian Society of America. This last has grown over the years into one of the premier study-tours for secondary school teachers of classics. After his retirement, Howard continued his teaching for several years at the University of New Hampshire.

Lest it be thought that Howard was all work, be it understood that he possessed a keen sense of humor and a zest for entertainment. He had a secret weapon which he used upon both colleagues and students—it was his 'pun-gun.' To be struck by one of Howard's verbal projectiles was often an intellectual pain whose therapy could only be found in uncontrolled laughter preceded by an agonized groan. To illustrate his expertise in this area, we need only furnish two examples: that unbridled enthusiasm was something that could only be exhibited by bachelors; and that a semi-conductor was someone who worked part-time on the railroad.

Howard's tenure at Exeter spanned 40 years filled with quiet yet effective and productive activity which benefited all associated with him. His allegiance was to the school, to his students, and to his family and church. Howard was the kind of man who could balance perfectly what might seem to some very disparate undertakings. He was a man of great integrity, all-encompassing humanity, incredible strength of character, and expansive compassion. His own epitaphion seems to sum him up best—nil desperandum—never give up hope.

On May 7, 1998, Howard passed away. He must surely be remembered as a gentleman among gentlemen and truly a gentle man. He was a devoted husband, father, teacher, and friend. And we are grateful for his presence among us and remember him with much affection.

This statement, prepared by David D. Coffin, Donald B. Cole, Richard M. Morante, David E. Thomas, and Allan D. Wooley, was presented to the faculty at its meeting on January 6, 1999.