Howard Harry Mondress

Howard Mondress died in Gig Harbor on September 25, 2022, of complications from Parkinson’s.  He was with his wife, ex-wife, children, stepchildren and several grandchildren.

Born on April 30, 1938 in Philadelphia, Howard moved to Miami with his family as a child where he met his first wife, Honey Ann Goldberg.  He graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in structural engineering, and he and Honey moved to Chicago and then in 1961 to Seattle.  In Seattle he began his career at the Corps of Engineers and Boeing, and obtained his Masters in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington.  Howard then went on to work for several firms where he was involved in designing many iconic Seattle buildings, including the Kingdome, the Westin’s twin towers, the Seafirst black box and the Columbia Tower, the Washington Mutual Tower and Safeco buildings.  He moved his family to Spokane in 1973, where he was involved in designing the 1974 World’s Fair.  He and Honey divorced and he moved to Tacoma where he met his second wife, Mae Floyd, in 1992.  In his later career he worked on environmental remediation and wastewater treatment projects, and as a forensic engineer. 

Howard was an avid camper and hiker in the northwest and, in his later years, a regular walker in and around Gig Harbor.  He volunteered his time at hospitals, prisons and food banks.  He explored several religions and musical instruments, and he became an accomplished guitar player.  Papa Howard showered his and Mae’s grandchildren with supportive, kind, and loving words, and he enjoyed many family gatherings.

Howard is survived by his wife Mae Floyd, his sister Carolyn Mondress, his children Misty Ellen Mondress (Doug Nugent) and Dr. Michael Mondress (Anne Wilson), his stepchildren Becky Baumgartner (Andy Baumgartner) and Joseph Floyd (Marianne Floyd), his grandchildren Matthew Nugent, Natalie Nugent, Maxwell Mondress and Wilson Mondress, his step-grandchildren Sam Baumgartner, Benjamin Floyd (Sherice), Timothy Floyd, Elizabeth Floyd, Brent Gaspaire (Molly) and Betty Belvedere, and his step-great grandchildren Eleanor Floyd, Jackson Floyd, Evan Gaspaire, Logan Gaspaire and Nora Gaspaire.  His family is holding a private memorial.  Remembrances to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

As Howard would say to us all, “You are the light of the world:  shine brightly.”

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