The Shadow
Howard Evans Cobb
June 11, 1940 – March 31, 2026
Howard Evans Cobb, of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia died March 31, 2026. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, friend, and United States Army veteran.
He was born June 11, 1940, in Ithaca, New York, to the late Kenneth Robinson Cobb and Mary John Evans Cobb. Following World War II, he moved with his family to Piney River, Virginia, where his father was President of the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway.
He was a graduate of E.C. Glass High School, and a Distinguished Military Graduate of Virginia Military Institute earning a degree in Civil Engineering in 1962. Howard served in the army from February 1963 to February 1965 as First Lieutenant for a Nike Hercules missile battery in West Germany.
Following military service, he entered The University of Virginia Darden School of Business and graduated with an MBA. Soon after he joined Westvaco Corporation in Covington, VA as administrative manager. His thirty-five-year career spanned several positions during periods of major expansion, to include a printing and package converting plant in the Czech Republic where he managed financial systems for the operation for three years. The experience left a lasting impact on Howard and his wife, Nell, who witnessed and participated in the opening of Eastern Europe.
Howard’s early life unfolded in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, shaped by a series of lasting influences, including a teacher who recognized his talent for mathematics, a scout leader who prepared him for Philmont, his father who instilled in him a love of baseball, and the father of a lifelong friend who encouraged him to attend VMI. Some of his happiest childhood memories were summers spent with his grandmother in Ithaca.
Howard was a devoted family man, known for his integrity, and a loyal and reliable friend. He cherished time with his grandsons: cheering them on at their sporting events, sharing his love of baseball, and exploring historical sites across Virginia.
As a staunch VMI alumnus, he treasured the camaraderie of his Brother Rats and the VMI community, frequently attending football games and reunions. He was a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan from his childhood attending games at the Polo Grounds in New York.
Howard was a voracious reader with a passion for American history, biographies, and World War II. His curiosity extended to his own family roots, sparking a keen interest in genealogy. This enthusiasm inspired him to travel widely across England, Europe, and the United States.
He was a member of the Sons of the Revolution and the Deep Run Hunt Club and served as a board member of the Goochland County Historical Society. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry and as treasurer.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Nell; their children, Mary Louise and Kenneth and his wife, Maria; his grandchildren, George, and Henry; his sisters, Mary and Linda and her husband, Rick; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia, and his brother-in-law, Carl.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church located at 12291 River Road, Richmond, Virginia 23238.
If you wish to honor Howard’s memory, his family welcomes contributions to the VMI Foundation – Howard Evans Cobb 1962 Scholarship or St Mary’s Episcopal Church (Attn: Outreach Ministry).
