Howard Lincoln

Howard Conrad Lincoln, age 79, of Erie, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 23, 2017, surrounded by his wife and family.  Howard was born June 28, 1938 in Erie, PA to Nina Soloway Lincoln and Barney Lincoln.  A graduate of Academy High School, Howard participated in many sports including football and swimming, and followed in his father’s footsteps as a Presque Isle State Park Lifeguard.  He received a bachelor of science from Penn State University, where he was a member of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity and business manager of FROTH, the humor magazine.  A beloved teacher and gifted coach, he taught physical education and served as Head Coach of the swim team at Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey for six years, and was later inducted into their hall of fame for developing an East-coast powerhouse team of swimmers and divers, which boasted seven high school All-Americans on a single team.

Howard and Mary married and moved to Erie in 1967. Howard joined his father in building Lincoln Metal Processing, now Lincoln Recycling, with operations in Erie and Meadville.  He founded Computer Recycling of America in the late 1970’s to capitalize on soaring gold prices by recovering precious metals from computer assets. He co-founded Lincoln Foundry, Portable Baling Services, and Wild Waves skateboard park, a pioneering youth activity park.  In pursuit of scrap metal opportunities, he traveled to the Afghanistan and Pakistan, and had the honor of meeting with the then-President of Pakistan.  While not all ventures led to new business, they did provide many entertaining stories for which he was well known.

Howard generously gave his energy and resources throughout the Erie community.  He served as President of the Erie Philharmonic, and supported many organizations, such as The Flagship Niagara League, Erie County Library System, Hamot Health Foundation, Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System (ACES), Asbury Woods, Inner-City Neighborhood Art House, Erie Playhouse, and Erie Philharmonic.  He was a member of civic organizations including Sertoma, Y-Mens Club, Masonic Temple and the Rotary Club of Erie. Always a supporter of youth, education and arts, in 2009 he spearheaded the founding of the Young People’s Chorus of Erie in collaboration with Penn State Behrend, which has served over 1000 students to date in Erie and Crawford counties in choral education, performance and fellowship. In retirement, Howard served as President of the condominium association of Boca Towers in Boca Raton, Florida.

He was deeply committed to his children and their activities, and spent countless hours at a ski races, track meets, swim meets, soccer and football games.  He passed on a talent and deep love for sport, balancing competitiveness with camaraderie and focusing on effort over outcome.  More recently he enjoyed cheering on his grandchildren in gymnastics, football, swimming and soccer.  Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his family.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded by his son, Stuart Michael Lincoln and a brother-in-law, Irwin Rider.

Howard is survived by Mary Swed Lincoln, his wife of 50 years; a daughter Samantha Lincoln, her husband Scott Gezymalla and their daughters Marin and Eva Gezymalla; son Jeremy Lincoln, his wife Elizabeth Dwyer Lincoln and grandsons Findley and Taylor Lincoln; and son Andrew Lincoln, his wife Amanda Schantz Lincoln, and their daughters Avery and Elise Lincoln, all of Erie, PA.  He is also survived by his sister Laurel Rider, niece Cathy Rider Woldanski (Stan Woldanski) all of Richmond, VA; cousins Douglas Klein (Carolyn Klein) of Erie, PA; Michael Klein (Marcy Klein) of Bloomfield Hills, MI; and Cynthia Klein of Montecito, CA.; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26^th St., Erie on Thursday, from 2-4 and 7-9pm and are invited to attended services there on Friday at 10:30am. with Rev. Charles Brock.  Burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Young People’s Chorus of Erie, c/o Penn State Behrend, Inner-City Neighborhood Art House, or a charity of one’s choice.