Howard Michael Sussman

Howard Michael Sussman, 89, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 13, 2024 with his family by his side. Born in New York, NY on March 20, 1935, Howard was the only child of Ida, a schoolteacher, and Bernard, a dentist. Unequivocally, he was the apple of their eye, and to this day, Howard’s family doesn’t understand just how Ida got Howard to eat a single vegetable. Howard spent his formative years in Manhattan. There, his life was ensconced in traditional Jewish living and teaching. It’s also where he cultivated his lifetime love of baseball and became convinced that there’s no finer dessert in life than cinnamon rugelach. A New Yorker through-and-through, Howard graduated from the prestigious Stuyvesant High School at the young age of 16. He attended Columbia on a full academic scholarship and Downstate University for medical school. He then completed his residency and served as chief resident, Internal Medicine, at Montefiore Hospital. It was in New York where he and his beloved wife of 53 years, Pat, were married and began to build their beautiful life together. In search of a young city sans snow with both vibrant Jewish and medical communities, Howard and Pat settled in Houston in 1972. He set up his Gastroenterology practice in the Spring Branch and Memorial areas, impacting the lives of countless patients for more than 45 years. A caring and compassionate physician, Howard worked tirelessly for his patients’ health and wellbeing –– and cherished the honor of doing so. So too did he cherish his daily lunches in the “Doctor’s Lounge.” A time to kibbitz and hold court, Howard shared endless opinions and countless memories of days gone by with colleagues. No doubt, those stories were told with more than a little added emphasis and embellishment, just to ensure he held everyone’s attention. He loved the camaraderie and continued to lunch in the “Doctor’s Lounge” beyond his retirement at the age of 80. At his core, Howard was a historian. From the Greek and Roman classics, to the battles of World War II, to his passion for Israel, Howard could recite the Who, What, When, Where and most importantly the Why of any of his myriad historical interests. A voracious reader, Howard devoured four newspapers daily – always in hard copy – and three books a week. And every time he stepped into the doors of Beth Yeshurun, his priority was to find his Torah portion from his Bar Mitzvah and share its teachings with his children. Howard’s other passions were a little more eclectic … even out of this world. He was a true believer of life beyond earth. So much so that, in the 1970s, Howard regularly contributed to a local radio show about UFOs. At the time, many thought this interest was meshugge. However, recent, and possibly future governmental disclosures may suggest that he was simply ahead of his time. To the dismay and delight of his family, Howard was also a constant contributor to Houston’s sports radio call-in shows for more than 30 years. “Howard from Memorial” was both revered and renowned in the city for his opinions about the Houston Astros, Oilers, and later the Texans. He called in A LOT –– never shy to share exactly what he thought. Caminiti, Biggio and Bagwell, Warren Moon, David Carr, et al., weren’t spared from his commentary. The show’s hosts and producers were known to contact Howard at home, asking him to call in. If a week went by without a call from Howard, they’d contact him to check in and make sure he was OK. And with his distinct New York accent that was often at a bellow, Howard was “recognized” regularly about town by complete strangers –– and he took pride in that recognition. Ask his children to share “Howard from Memorial” stories. They’d be honored to do so. Howard’s greatest passion was his family, whom he loved madly and deeply. His wife, Pat, was his heart and he treasured her beyond measure. With the exception of work, he never wanted to go anywhere without her – and rarely did for 53 years. Pat was his North Star, his voice of reason, his hand to hold, his center. The consummate doting wife and partner, Pat showered her husband with care and compassion always, yet never more so than after a recent fall and subsequent failing health. Their respective selflessness was love personified, and a reminder to their children that there’s no greater gift than the love of another. Howard is survived by a family that loved him unconditionally: his wife, Pat, his children Laura and John, and their spouses Jason and Kelly. He adored his role as “Pops” to his six grandchildren, Eden, Eli and Theo Sussman; and Sydney, Aidan and Max Buchman. The family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care of Drs. Tom Keith and Marco Campos during Howard’s final months. May Howard’s memory be a blessing. And may all those who loved him indulge in cinnamon rugelach in his honor … just please do so before Passover. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston’s Israel Emergency Fund https://www.houstonjewish.org/support-for-israel/ or the charity of your choice.

Howard Michael Sussman

March 20, 1935 - April 13, 2024