EASTSIDE

    WATER DISTRICT

 HOWARD BARNETT REMEMBERED

The untimely death of Howard Barnett in September 2004 was a shock to all who knew him.  Howard, a family man, a hard worker, a community leader was a member of the Eastside Water District Board of Directors at the time of his death.  The Directors asked that Howard be honored in their News Letter and on their Web Site. 

HOWARD M BARNETT

MAY 10, 1943 - SEPT 21, 2004

Howard, was a resident of Modesto for the past 35 years.  He was raised in Chico and finished his formal education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo majoring in Agribusiness.

His professional life was dedicated to California agriculture and protecting the diversity of crops grown in the San Joaquin Valley.  As he had told many of his growers “It’s a continuous struggle because nature never rests.”  That same truism could be applied to Howard's life, he never seemed to rest! 

Howard had many passions, work included, but his soul came alive “calling” things with feathers or chasing down things with horns.  Those activities are what got his blood really pumping.  He loved to hunt and fish, as evidenced, by the “artwork” found throughout his home.  He was generous enough to share this passion and infect others around him, including his wife, his favorite hunting partner. 

In his short 61 years Howard accomplished so much, professionally and personally, ranging from being inducted into the Crop Professional Hall of Fame to obtaining his Grand Slam of Wild Sheep.  The mountains were getting taller each year, but Howard continued to make the effort.  Many more hunts were lined up for this year that will never be experienced, but Howard had already achieved a lifetime of fulfillment in those already completed. 

In his professional life, Howard and partner, Jim Wagner purchased Hughson Chemical in 1985.  Howard was President and General Manager.  In April 2004 Howard and Jim sold Hughson Chemical to Wilbur-Ellis with the arrangement that Howard would continue as General Manager.  As he sold the company, Howard indicated that he wanted to spend more time with the things he enjoyed including not only his hunting and fishing but also his almond farming operation in the Eastside Water District. 

In the past Howard was chairman of the Western Plant Health Association, president of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers, a board member of the California Almond Research Board and past president of the California Fertilizer Association.  He was also a founding member of the Independent Agribusiness Professionals. 

Howard contributed in many ways to the efforts of the Eastside Water District in its search for solutions for a declining water table.  He was the “father” so to speak of this newsletter and oversaw its production from the first edition until the edition last September.  His contributions to the Board will be missed. 

Howard leaves a large hole in the hearts and minds of all who knew him but particularly of his wife, Peggy and his son's Brad and Brent.  As his wife indicated “We were blessed to have him and the love he gave us, though he left us too soon.”