The Piedmont Community Foundation announces the creation of the Peter M. Howard Memorial Fund. This is the first fund set up by a family in the community foundation. The fund has been established by the Howard family to honor the charitable work of long-time Middleburg area resident Peter Howard. Peter was the late husband of Susan Howard of Middleburg, son of Eleanor and Gordon Howard, Glenview, IL; brother of Meribeth Cooper, Marietta, GA.; Martha Petrie, Eagle-Vail, CO; Miranda Haddock, Portage, MI.; and Paul Howard of Cheyenne, WY.

The Peter M. Howard Memorial has been setup as a restricted Fund to benefit charities whose work supports preservation of historic properties and preservation of open space in the geographical area served by the Piedmont Community Foundation (the area includes the northern Piedmont region of Virginia, specifically Loudoun and Fauquier Counties). This fund will grow and mature to produce an income stream to fund competitive grants in the areas of interest noted above.

Peter Howard was born in Oak Park, Illinois and raised in Wilmette, Ill. He graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point where he first became interested in military history. He served in combat as an infantry officer in Vietnam and Korea. After two combat tours he served as a Ranger Instructor at Fort Benning, GA. Following military service, Peter received a law degree from Northwestern University and began his law career at the Santa Fe Railroad in Chicago. He continued his career with Mobil Oil Corporation as a corporate lawyer in New York, Denver and Washington, D.C. He lived in the Middleburg area from 1988 until his death September 5, 2004.

During his years in Virginia Peter actively supported the Atoka based Mosby Heritage Area Association serving on its board, and supporting two key programs; education and the annual Civil War Conference at the Middleburg Community Center. He also supported the Piedmont Environmental Council and Middleburg Beautification and Preservation, Inc. as well as other preservation related charities.

In delivering the eulogy at Peter's funeral, his brother Paul described Peter as follows:

"He was not a man concerned with perception or image. He didn't wear his past or his achievements on his sleeve. He was committed to the here and now and took advantage of all that life gave him. He was impatient with delay. Whatever the day brought, Peter's slogan was 'Let's GO!'"

Through his Memorial Fund, Peter Howard's family believes he will continue to lead the way as the funds work to preserve and protect Virginia's history and environment.

Peter M. Howard Memorial Fund Foundation directors deeply appreciate the foresight of the Howard family in establishing a charter milestone for the community foundation with their tribute to Peter. Gifts can be added to the fund at anytime.

The community foundation is structured to support all manner of charitable interests important to donors. For more information please contact Karen Krei, Executive Director, Piedmont Community Foundation at 540 687 5223.