Obituary of Howard S. Soper

Soper, Howard S. Howard was born in Seneca Falls, New York on July 26, 1920. He graduated from Minders Academy and worked for Gould Pumps until enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was trained as a pilot but was discharged for medical reasons. He graduated from Syracuse University School of Architecture at the top of his class in 1949. He married Patricia Badger of Newington, Ct on March 26, 1948. He moved to Watertown and then Black River upon opening his firm, Parker-Soper Architects in1954. The firm designed many office buildings, schools and hospitals in northern New York including Jefferson Community College, Samaritan-Keep Nursing Home, Jefferson County Office Building, Herkimer Community College and the Ogdensburg Dome. He was active in the Black River Valley Club and the family spent many winters skiing at Snow Ridge Ski Area. He was an avid wood-worker and always had a project in wood going for family and friends. In 1975, Howard retired. He and Patti travelled extensively in their motor home then split their time between the family summer home near Croghan, NY and a retirement community, Venture Out, in Mesa, Az. After 55 years of marriage, Patti died of pancreatic cancer in March, 2003. Howard resided in Victor, NY for the past 1 years near his son, Jay Badger Soper and his family. He was healthy and mentally acute until October 18th when he had an irrecoverable stroke and passed peacefully with his son by his side on October 20th. He is survived by son, Jay and his wife, Melody of Macedon, NY, daughter, Terri Soper Eberst and husband, John, of San Diego, CA as well as 3 grown grand children, Harmony, Joy and Izaak and 4 great-grand children, Destiny, Colin, Colby and Lily. A private, family service is planned.