Dr. James Robert "Bob" Howenstine

Age 85, of Lansing, passed away November 5, 2010.  He was born May 8, 1925, in Wabash, IN, to Nora and Carl Howenstine.

After graduating from Wabash High School, Bob joined the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving as a signalman in the South Pacific from 1943-46.  He then earned his BS in Microbiology and Chemical Engineering from Purdue University in 1951.  While there, he married Jane Enyeart.  In 1961, he graduated from MSU with a Ph.D. in Microbiology, and became employed with the Michigan Department of Public Health, being responsible for research and production of Tetanus biological products from 1954 until 1962.  Then, Bob began doing work for the State Crime Laboratory.  He was the director of the State Alcohol Test Program, including training and certification of police officers.  His work included crime scenes, laboratory work and testifying as an expert witness in court cases.  From 1977 – 88, he was the director of Forensic Sciences in charge of the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division.  In 1987, Bob was selected to be one of the U.S. representatives to make forensic science presentations in China.  He had memberships with numerous forensic science and law enforcement organizations, and enjoyed camping, travel, space program research, Nobel Prize winners, genealogy, science in general, and was a big Spartan fan.

He is survived by:  son, Jeff (Julie); daughter, Jean (Keith) Arteaga; 5 grandchildren, Justin, Jordan and Jared Howenstine, Carlyn and Benjamin Arteaga; and niece, Sally Bennett.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Howenstine in 2008, and by his brother, Max in 1968.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2010, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI, officiated by Rev. Lynn Post. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, Music Program in memory of Bob Howenstine.

Print Obituary

Please Sign The Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *