Howard Myers
Friends of the Scenic Drive Volunteer of Excellence 2005
Howard Myers first experienced the
desert southwest on cross country road trips with his wife Carol and their
children. For him it was love at first sight.
Howard, who grew up in Long Island,
has worked full time helping defend our country by designing detection systems
for military bases, and radar systems for naval vessels. It’s an exclusive
field, and Howard has won various awards for his work.
When the opportunity came to move
west, the family jumped at it. Howard still works full time in his chosen field,
but lives in Scottsdale and works an additional full time defending the
environment. The list of organizations who have benefited from his dedication to
preservation is very long, including; the Desert Property HOA, the Greater
Pinnacle Peak Association, the McDowell Sonoran Commission, The Friends of the
Scenic Drive, the Board of Adjustments for the City of Scottsdale, COPP, Sierra
Club, Southern Utah Alliance, Quiet Skies, Zion National Park Association. He is
a respected writer for The Peak Magazine. The regular trash pickups on the
Scenic Drive always find Howard in the work crew. He has been part of the
planning for the annual Cookout at the Ranch, as well as acting as financial
manager for that event for the past ten years.
Howard is a familiar face to
current and past Scottsdale Council members. His meticulous testimony has helped
clarify many many preservation and environmental issues for the Council. In
fact, Carol says when she wants to check to see if he is “still breathing”, she
turns on Channel 11.
Howard and Carol enjoy their home
in north Scottsdale, and their town home in Sedona, the quiet views, the hiking.
Every Thanksgiving finds the Myers family gathering in Sedona to enjoy the
desert and each other. Howard’s respect for the desert extends to desert
animals. Even rattlesnakes found on his property get relocated gently into the
nearby wash.
I asked Carol Myers what she
considered the greatest accomplishment of her husband. “Howard has gone from a
person not involved in the environment to becoming a “preservation over
achiever.” Howard has often said “Why should I go on vacation, when I live
here?” Carol smiles “I can’t get this man out of the southwest!” ,
Howard and Carol have two daughters, four grandsons, and a granddaughter.
Past Volunteers of Excellence Award Recipients
