Howard Guthmann

GUTHMANN, HOWARD M.

Howard Guthmann, a St. Paul business man, philanthropist, civic activist, education advocate, and mentor to many died on December 6 after a long and wonderful life one week after celebrating his 95th birthday. He practiced accounting with the firm that is now known as Wilkerson Guthmann from 1943 to 2016. His CPA certificate is number 452. Certificates today number well past 28,000. He was a past-president of the Minnesota CPA Society. Howard always said that "the best retirement plan is work." In addition to his business career, he was active in St. Paul civic affairs, chairing or serving as President of numerous non-profit and civic boards, including the St. Paul Board of Education, the St. Paul Port Authority, the Ramsey County Historical Society, and the Rotary Club of St. Paul. He also served on the St. Paul Charter Commission, the Board of Directors of Regions Hospital, and the Elder Learning Institute/University of Minnesota. He was a co-founder of the St. Paul Public Schools Foundation, the Friends of the St. Paul College Foundation, and the Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth. He had a special interest in the Boy Scouts of America, being registered in the organization for over 80 years. Due to a shortage of adult males after the draft was instituted in 1940, he became a Scoutmaster at only 18 years of age. He later became Council President. He also played a critical role in the development of the North Star Museum of Boy and Girl Scouting. When he was President of the St. Paul Jaycees, it was chosen the outstanding chapter in the United States for a unique second year in a row. He received many awards and honors as a result of his community service. He was active in Unity Church of St. Paul for over 65 years and twice served as its Board Chair. He is survived by Betsy, his wife of 65 years, children Susan Henry (Lawrence), John (Teresa), Debra Ternus (Mike), and Patricia Haresch (John), 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Unity Church (733 Portland Avenue in St. Paul) on December 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a gathering celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Northern Star Council, BSA, the North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting, the Rotary Club of St. Paul, or Unity Church-Unitarian.