If ever there was someone who you can count on to give a helping hand or general support when needed, that was Pat Howard. We lost Pat on Dec. 13, 2021 to cancer during her final days at a local hospice. 

Pat, who served as a staff photographer for El Tecolote during our early years, oftentime would passionately cover a story on a moment’s notice. In fact, on one occasion, her passion for the breaking story had me leaping out of bed late at night to join her in reporting on a 24th Street gang-related shooting. There I was in the cold with my note pad and pencil in hand, while Pat was clicking away capturing every angle of the murder scene. 

Likewise, Pat was always around to help at our fundraisers, organize our photo files, and help distribute the newspaper. At times, we were truly a team. 

Linda Wilson, our photo archivist, once commented to me that Pat was very professional with her work. She would submit very descriptive captions that were attached to the backside of a photo. Wilson said it made her job of historically filing our photos much easier.

A very sizable person and a former Vietnam vet who knew how to handle any threatening situation, Pat once whispered in my ear, “If anyone tries to mess with you, just let me Know.” I carried those words with me for years, knowing that Pat was aware of the threats I sometimes encountered publishing El Tecolote. She had my back.

Pat also found time to take journalism courses at City College where I taught. She eventually became the photo editor of The Guardsman, the campus newspaper. Years later Pat would serve as a photo editor for the Glen Park Gazette, founded by my former student Jacquelyn Estrella.

After she left El Tecolote, Pat still came around to attend our gallery shows and other festivities at our office. At that time , she was pretty much alone in her one-bed apartment off Potrero Avenue with a pet dog and cat. Pat’s wife Rita had passed away and their sons were nowhere to be found.

In my last conversation with Pat, she was thankful for the opportunity to work with El Tecolote and expressed the desire to donate her photographic collection of negatives to Acción Latina.

Pat, you will long be remembered. I thank you for your kind heart and your friendship. We also thank you for being a valuable part of our rich history. Pat Howard ¡Presente!