Howard E. Katerba

Howard E. Katerba, 87, of Ocean Beach III, NJ passed away peacefully on Monday July 29, 2024 with his wife and daughter by his side.

He was born September 6th, 1936 in Jersey City, NJ.  He ran cross country and played basketball and baseball at Roselle High School and a year of football while studying Engineering at Rutgers.  Howard was a life-long Boston Red Sox fan after being converted by his MA cousins at a young age.  

At 23, he met the love of his life, Helga, and it was love at first sight. They married in 1963 and eventually settled in Scotch Plains, NJ but summered in Ocean Beach III for 57 years; moving there permanently 23 years ago. Even in retirement, Howard worked as a badge checker; first in Ocean Beach and then in Lavallette. No one was getting on the beach without a badge or with a cooler of food!

Howard was an Eagle Scout and proudly served in the US Army in Germany building bridges.  He worked for IBM in New York, NY for 34 years and attended Faith Lutheran Church in Lavallette, NJ.

Howard’s second love were his kids and grandkids. And his final ‘job’ was that of super fan who attended all of their soccer games, basketball games, track meets, plays, marching band performances and concerts.  Those that were in the stands with him could catch him yelling his signature phrase ‘hey you number 2’ or ‘hey you number 25’ at the beginning of every game.

If you knew Howard, you knew what a kind gentle soul he was and how much he cherished his family.  He loved his corny jokes, listening to his classic country tunes and travel.   Our memories of the countless vacations and wonderful holidays will hold a special place in our hearts.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard E. and Edna (McKee) Katerba, step-father George Jacobus, and daughter Debra.

Surviving is his loving wife Helga (Schmeelk), his daughter; Heide (Cherie) of Pittstown, NJ, his son: Jon (Kim) of VA, his sister; Arlene Davis, his grandchildren; Natalie, Conner, Ellie, Emery, Max, Lucy, Liesel, Auden and Henry, and all of his nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday August 4, 2024 at The Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals 706 Grand Central Ave. Lavallette, NJ.  A Funeral Service will be held on Monday August 5, 2024 at 10am at the funeral home.  Burial will follow to BG William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ at 12:30pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Faith Lutheran Church in Lavallette.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com/

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