Alaska Highway. Company F and H&S. Born: 13 October 1907, Staunton, Augusta County, VA. Died: 9 January 2002, Richmond, Henrico County, VA.
He graduated from Beverley Manor High School and received an engineering degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1932. In 1940 census he worked as a draftsman for the U.S. Government.
In April 1942, Captain Garber and the 97th Engineers landed in Valdez, Alaska. Three feet of snow covered the ground. The 97th constructed the northern section of the Alaska Highway. Captain Garber commanded Company F from April 1942 to July 1942 and was assigned to HQ in the H&S Company. In February 1943 he was transferred to Ft. Lewis, WA.
In January 1943 he wrote a letter to his parents, “…somewhere in Alaska…a little chilly here, 72 below zero, but it is not so bad.”
In 1947 he was a Major in the Virginia Army reserve unit – Third Battalion, H&S Company of the 335th Engineer General Service Regiment.
Howard was an avid gardener and inventor. His father was Joseph S. Garber, a barber and his mother was Clara Ann Steffey Garber (1880-1956). Both of his parents were born in Augusta County, VA.
Howard’s first wife was Carrie Peyton and at age 80, a widow, he asked Helene Bender to marry him. Both wives preceded him in death. He had two brothers, Robert B. Garber (1916-2009) and Louis Lee Garber (1921-2014).
Serial #O-293404