“Patrick was a young man, and he was full of promise,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, in a statement emailed to the University. “He was a selfless, reliable member of the behind-the-scenes team that keeps the University running and enables the work of Jesuit education to continue, day by day.”

Howe started working at Fordham as a refrigeration engineer in 2014. He was responsible for installing and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems at the Lincoln Center campus. But his knowledge of the facilities at Fordham extended beyond his usual job capacities, said his manager, Jedd Applebaum, chief engineer and associate director of facilities operations. Howe was a “jack of all trades” who could run any piece of equipment or building, said Applebaum, and one of the best engineers at Fordham. 

“When I knew he was [here], it made my life 10 times easier. If I had something going on, even my boss would say, ‘Is Pat going to be there?’” Applebaum said. “The first person we would grab was Pat.”

Howe went above and beyond his responsibilities, said Applebaum. 

“He was already an established engineer, but he was going to the next level of trying to learn the programming of our building management system, which is completely another step. He took advantage of online courses [outside of Fordham]  to learn the actual programming,” Applebaum said, noting that he wanted to be able to move up at Fordham.

Howe was not only a hard worker but also a selfless colleague, said Applebaum. During the Christmas season, he signed up for work shifts so that his colleagues with children at home could spend the holidays together, said Applebaum. He was also a smart and confident engineer who taught new employees, but never put on any airs, said Applebaum. And during the height of the pandemic, he always came into work.   

“Fordham lost someone who would be here until he retired. He loved this University,” Applebaum said. “I have a 12-year-old, and I hope he grows up like him.”

Howe was born on September 28, 1981, in Valley Stream, New York. He was raised by his parents, Patrick Howe Sr., a senior service technician who worked for a boiler control company, and Donna Howe, a retired bookkeeper, alongside his younger sister, Mary Levin. As a child, Howe was inquisitive, honest, kind, and funny, said his sister. He loved skateboarding so much that when he accidentally broke his wrist while skating, he continued to skate—and coincidentally broke his other wrist just two weeks later, said his father. 

Howe was not a big fan of school, said his mother. The only book he loved was Fight Club, a 1996 novel that was later turned into an American film, she said. (His favorite quote from Fight Club was “The things you own end up owning you,” she added.) But he was still a curious child who wanted to know everything about the world. 

“He was relentless with his questions. He would ask, ‘Why does it rain?’” his mother recalled. “Everything that he was interested in, he took to the nth degree.” 

Howe matured into a devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend who loved to be surrounded by people, said his family. His two nephews loved to wrestle with him and jump on a trampoline together, and they jokingly called him “Uncle Poopypants,” said his sister. 

His sense of humor translated to every part of his life, said his family. He was an excellent mimic who could retell stories with flawless facial expressions, and he had the ability to make people laugh, said his mother and sister. 

As an adult, he took pride in personal fitness and his tattoos, including a large koi fish on his arm. Howe was also a film buff who loved “dark” and “action-oriented” movies, including the Godfather series and Marvel and DC Universe films, said his family. He recently said that if he hadn’t become an engineer, he would’ve been a movie critic, his mother recalled. “He knew the director, he knew the way it was filmed, he knew what the ambiance was, what they were trying to say,” she said. “He was a lot deeper than most people realized.” 

Howe earned his associate’s degree in liberal arts and sciences and liberal studies from Nassau Community College in 2005. He graduated from the Turner Technical School in 2007, where he became certified in working as a refrigerating system operating engineer. 

Before he joined Fordham, he held several jobs, including a licensed maintainer at the New York Public Library, where he maintained the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. 

“He stayed there for a number of years, and then he went to Fordham, which he absolutely loved. His job was very important to him,” said his mother, adding that he treasured the friendships he made there. 

“He got along with everybody,” his sister said. “He didn’t see skin color or race or ethnicity or religion. He just saw people for people, and he loved everyone—and everyone loved him.” 

Howe is survived by his mother, Donna Howe; father, Patrick Howe Sr.; younger sister, Mary Levin and her partner, David Levin; and two nephews, Dylan and Brayden. A wake will be held on Friday, April 15, at the Lieber Funeral Home located at 266 N. Central Ave., Valley Stream, New York, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

—Chris Gosier contributed reporting. 

“We know that 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges—but you have shown that your commitment to trees is unwavering,” Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation, wrote in a recent letter to the University. “Now more than ever, thank you for contributing to a healthier planet for all of us.” 

Fordham is among approximately 400 colleges and universities recognized for their commitment to trees in 2019 by Tree Campus Higher Education, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation. Formerly known as Tree Campus USA, the program honors schools that meet five core standards: establishment of a tree advisory committee, creation of a campus tree-care plan, annual funding for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and sponsorship of student service learning projects. Fordham has participated in the program since 2015. 

The University is home to hundreds of trees, including one of the oldest American elm trees in New York City. For more than 270 years, the tree has towered over Cunniffe House at the Rose Hill campus. It lost a large limb after Tropical Storm Isaias swept across the East Coast, but the tree should heal normally, said Marco Valera, vice president for administration. The damaged limb was properly cut back, and the tree will be monitored more frequently. 

Since 2015, Fordham has participated in Tree Campus USA, a national program that honors colleges and universities for promoting tree conservation across their campuses. Participating institutions complete five tasks: creating a tree advisory committee, developing a campus tree-care plan, annually dedicating funds toward a campus tree program, celebrating Arbor Day, and sponsoring related student service-learning projects.

A week ago, the University celebrated Arbor Day with some special guests—nearly 120 second graders from P.S. 205. On April 30, the second graders, Fordham students, and University staff gathered at the Rose Hill campus for a giveaway, a poetry reading, and a series of speakers. Together, they planted a holly tree in a grassy patch bordered by Keating Hall, Spellman Hall, and John Mulcahy Hall.

The young tree joins the Arbor Day Foundation’s initiative of planting 100 million trees and engaging five million tree planters by 2022.

“This year, Tree Campus USA schools have collectively planted 32,204 trees and engaged 31,682 students—helping us work toward these critical goals and the large-scale impact we seek,” wrote Dan Lambe, the president of the Arbor Day Foundation, in a letter to Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. “And your continued dedication to trees will help to create lasting change for future generations.”

A Tree City/Campus/Line Recognition Ceremony will take place on March 29 in Albany, New York.

The University earned the distinction by meeting five core standards for a sustainable campus: Establishment of a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

“If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, and energy use,” said Lauren Weyers, program coordinator for the Arbor Day Foundation.

“As a result of your commitment to effective urban forest management, Fordham is helping to provide a solution to these global challenges.”

Related Articles:
A Toast to Fordham’s Trees
Fordham Honored for Tree Care

]]> 86756 https://now.fordham.edu/university-news/work-richard-figueroa/ Thu, 12 Oct 2017 13:00:25 +0000 https://news.fordham.sitecare.pro/?p=78780 Who he is
Figueroa is the operations supervisor for Facilities Operations at the Lincoln Center campus

What he does
“I’m in charge of procurement of materials. I help the operations workers identify what materials they need and act as the liaison between the facilities side and the customer. For example, sometimes we get someone who is having air conditioner issues. The mechanic may have taken care of it and closed out the work order. But if the customer isn’t satisfied, I’ll go back, say ‘I’m sorry you weren’t satisfied, what can we do to help you feel more comfortable?’ It’s all about trying to find a happy medium for them.”

What projects keep him busy
“We do a lot of upgrading. We replaced six floors’ worth of ovens and refrigerators at McMahon Hall this past summer. We just ordered blinds for the residence hall windows. It’s a constant stream of things to keep up with.”

Favorite part of the job
“I like to identify ways to fix problems. Not everything is all laid out, and not everything is set in stone. There’s always a different way to get something done. I also like the fact that everybody here is really supportive.”

Life before Fordham
“I went to St. John’s University for two years, but I couldn’t finish. So I started at Home Depot and worked my way up through the company for seven years. It was fun, but the environment changed. I had kids, and couldn’t be working crazy hours in a retail environment. When you’re on call, you might be working for 70 hours a week.”

“I’ve always worked with my hands. My roots are in Long island, so even though I live in the Bronx, I still know people out there and a lot of them were calling up, saying ‘Rich, can you help me?’ [So] for two years I did repairs for people, changing out hot water heaters, redoing bathrooms. Then I started thinking I needed to get into something more stable, with more roots, so I applied to Fordham.

On that Long-Lost College Degree
“I’m taking two certificate courses being offered by the Real Estate Institute: Real Estate Finance and Investment, and Construction Project Management. Then in the spring or next fall, I’m hoping to finish my undergraduate degree at the School of Professional Studies (PCS), probably in organizational leadership.

I’ve always wanted to go back, but the opportunity wasn’t there. It’s exciting. I took one course online, and one in a classroom, so I’m getting used to both ways of learning.”

Family and Hobbies
He and his wife Elizabeth have five children: Candice, 29, Alyssa, 25, Lexeus, 23, Katelyn, 14 and Richard Jr., 12. In his spare time, Figueroa likes to bowl, do woodworking, and go camping with his kids at least two or three times a year.