Howard E. Rockette

Howard Earl Rockette, Jr., age 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 23, 2024. He was born February 6, 1944 in Baltimore, MD to Edith (Kaiser) and Howard Rockette. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and earned his MA and PhD at Penn State, where he met his wife of 55 years, Ann (Soloweigh) Rockette. He is survived by his wife, three children (Carrie, Bonny, and Michael), 6 grandchildren, and his sister Norma (Rockette) Ciarlo. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepfather, Ray R. Rudolph.

Howard was a professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Biostatistics in the School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. He was a fellow in the American Statistical Association and awarded Pittsburgh Statistician of the Year in 1997. He was an author on over 250 scientific papers working in a wide range of areas including environmental/occupational exposures, imaging systems development, ear infection treatment in children, and rheumatological diseases. He advised over 40 graduate students and was awarded Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2001. Of his many career accomplishments, he believed his students were his greatest legacy. Howard enjoyed family vacations and spending time with his wife in Florida. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed his regular conversations with his children and grandchildren. He was known as a great story teller and he always made time for those he loved.

We welcome friends and family on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm & 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Jobe Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 445 Beatty Road, Monroeville. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 11:00 am at Christ's Lutheran Church, 5330 Old Logan Ferry Road, Murrysville, with Rev. Edward Sheehan officiating. Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh by visiting www.habitatpittsburgh.org. Online condolences can be given at www.jobefuneralhome.com.

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