Gifted with a salty wit and an indomitable spirit, Howard Irwin Towne entered the world in Kennebunk, Maine on May 5, 1926, the eldest son of Richmond Towne, a lobsterman and Rachel Towne, a nurse. He died at the age of 100 early in the morning of June 9, 2026 at Pitzer Lodge after sharing visions of green hills and his longtime partner, Anna May, who preceded him on November 18, 2024.
While growing up in Maine, Howard balanced studies, varsity sports and part-time work. He lost his father at the age of 14, saying goodbye at the boat dock as his dad headed out to sea to tend lobster traps. He
never returned. An empty boat in coastal waters betrayed no evidence of trauma to Richmond Towne, a
veteran of World War I. Had he fallen overboard, overcome by the chronic effects of mustard gas? No one
knew. The family survived with the help of family and friends, faith in God’s providence, and hard work.
Guided by his pastor, Rev. Asa Johnson, Howard enrolled in college over a thousand miles away in Aurora,
Illinois. At Aurora College, he juggled fulltime work, played varsity baseball and football, and earned his
bachelor’s degree in 1953, followed by teaching credentials. Howard’s hands were never idle. He tackled
plumbing, steam-fitting, dairy farming, and construction, gaining invaluable experiene that he put to use
throughout his life.
Howard met and married Anna May Nerlien, a fellow college student from Chetek, Wisconsin after a seven-
year courtship which included sending flowers to her by train after she returned to Wisconsin to teach
elementary school. They married in 1955 and embarked on 35 years as missionaries in the Philippines.
Sponsored by the Advent Christian Foreign Mission Society, they lived in the remote mountain area of
Claveria on the island of Mindanao. Howard mentored farmers in animal husbandry and sustainable
farming practices. Anna May created home industry opportunities for women. Howard later earned an M.S.
in Agricultural and Extension Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
In 1976 Howard and Anna May accepted an invitation to serve the educational needs of the Maranao people
at Dansalan College in Marawi City. Under the sponsorship of the United Church of Christ and under load
from the Advent Christian Foreign Mission Society, Howard helped establish an agricultural training center
for Muslim farmers. He supervised construction, designed curriculum, recruited staff, and became the
center’s first director. Anna May taught English at Dansalan College.
When Howard and Anna May retired from missionary service in 1991, they embraced a new era at Pilgrim
Place as active retirees, volunteering with Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity. Howard planned,
supervised and worked on construction projects. His favorite hammer, now a family treasure, pounded
nails in many home builds, possibly even a nail or two alongside former President Jimmy Carter during an
event in Americus Georgia.
Howard and Anna May raised four children: Susan, Steve, Paul and Marilyn, all born in the Philippines. The
family now includes 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, with three more on the way. The family
treasures many years of visits to Pilgrim Place, and are grateful for the loving care Howard and Anna May
enjoyed here in their final years.
