Howard S. Barden
September 15, 1945 - February 18, 2017
Obituary
MADISON-Howard S. Barden, age 71, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. After graduating from Old Town High School in Maine, he received his Bachelor's Degree from Brown University, attended Harvard University and received his PhD in Biological Anthropology from UW Madison. Howard was a professor at UICC, then worked in Medical Genetics at the UW Madison, and spent the majority of his rewarding career using his talents as a Senior Scientist for Lunar Corporation/GE Lunar Healthcare. Howard enjoyed biking, the arts, the Wisconsin Badgers, gardening, nature, traveling and reading. Special places in his heart included Madison, Martha's Vineyard, Hawaii, and Maine. Most important to Howard was his family which included his wife, Lindy, his daughter, Sarah E. (Tom) Becker; son, Andrew S. (Carissa) Barden; three granddaughters, Emily, Katherine, and Sophia Becker; two grandsons, Jackson and Harrison Barden; sister, GeeGee Barden; brother, Albie Barden; and many extended family. Howard was preceded in death by parents, Elizabeth and Albert Barden, Jr. Memorial services will be held at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1609 University Ave, Madison, at 10 a.m., on Thursday, March 2, 2017, with the Rev. Eldonna Hazen presiding. A time of gathering will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Memorial Service
Thu Mar 2, 2017 @ 10:00 AM CDT
First Congregational United Church of Christ (Madison) • 1609 University Ave., Madison, WI 53726
Photos
Memories
VH
Vic Heitzkey
Other •
Sandra and I extend our condolences . We remember all the good times watching our sons involved in sporting events. Howard was an extremely fine person and will be missed. Sandra and Vic Heitzkey
MM
Margo McBain
Other •
I spent many a lunch hour at the little Lunar lunch room with Howie. How I loved his humor, his kindness and his love of life. We shared lots of laughs and stories about our kids who happened to be the same ages. Beautiful Lindy was a teacher to both my kids which gave us yet another connection. So blessed we all remained friends. Lindy, Sarah and Andrew my heart breaks for your loss of this gentle soul, this devoted husband, father and grandfather. Sending you love and prayers from both of us.
Margo McBain/Jim DePass
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Debbie Ogden
Other •
Our condolences to family and his very dear friends. Howard was one of the kindest, most gentle men I have ever met. A Father figure and true mentor, whom I learned so much from when I joined the team at LUNAR Corp. Sharing memories of Maine and pictures of wildlife and nature, was inspiring, informative and very much a joy. He is missed and will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will carry beautiful stories to share. I will look to the stars and know he is smiling down on us. He was a wonderful gift. (I will always think of Howie when I am in Maine and take a moment to remind myself of his kindness to me.) -Debbie and Kent Ogden (New York)
LD
Larry Dobie
Other •
So sorry to hear of the passing of an all around nice guy. We were both involved as leaders in Troop 132 where my son Mathew and Andy were active in Boy Scouts way back in the late 80's & early 90's. We had some great conversations and I have always had only fond memories of this great gentleman. We've not had any contact since those good old days, but man-o-man what memories and stories. RIP old friend.
KC
Kathleen Cota
Other •
Howie ,
My high school friend..... you was a kind and loving soul...I smile when I think of you and always will.
Dance with our friend Linda Johnson Parady in heaven....
My sincere condolences to your beautiful family,blessed with many memories to help them thru this very sad and difficult time.
God bless
Kathy
JZ
James Zagzebski
Other •
We remember Howard and his dedicated work at the University of Wisconsin, where some of Lunar's original work was carried out. The Medical Physics team that included Howard and Dick Mazess, Jimmy Hanson, Dave Ergun, and John Vetter were pioneers in many aspects of bone densitometry. I did not know the team during the early days, when they were mostly in the Space Science and Engineering building. But after Lunar was founded, the group maintained a lab in what were the old hospital radiation therapy facilities, occupied mostly by Medical Physics after the UW Hospital move to the west campus. Howard was a frequent "visitor" to the lab, where he helped run many studies that were important to the understanding of bone density changes and how to measure them. He was a gentleman, always supportive, and always kind. Sincere condolences to his family. Jim Zagzebski, Professor Emeritus and former chair of Medical Physics.