Howard Knowles Ainsworth

Howard Ainsworth, 92, passed away peacefully March 12, 2024, at The Laurels in Stone Oak, San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by his family.

His memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., April 6, 2024, at Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church, 14335 O’Connor Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78247. A Celebration of Life will follow at The Laurels in Stone Oak, 575 Knights Cross Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78258, in the Great Room.

Howard was born in Auburn, Maine, February 20, 1932, to Ion Ainsworth and Sarah Ainsworth. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1950, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono School of Engineering in 1954, and completed a Pulp and Paper 5th year Master’s program in 1955.

Howard was a devoted husband and father, a professional engineer, a sailor, a flyer, a gentleman farmer, an entrepreneur, and a missionary. With Beloit Iron Works, Howard and Janice were able to travel extensively across the United States and they spent time in France while Howard worked on paper machine installations. Howard obtained several patents for pieces of equipment that are still used in the industry today. When the family moved to Menasha, Wisconsin, he pursued his love of sailing on Lake Winnebago. His career then led to a Chief Engineer position in Fulton, New York in 1969, and then to Millinocket, Maine. In 1972, he moved his family back to Wisconsin where he started with Nekoosa Paper Company and bought a hobby farm in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Retiring early from Nekoosa Paper Company, he and his wife founded Barnum Bay Marina on Lake Petenwell in central Wisconsin. They employed their daughter, Ann, and son, Scott, and developed and ran the business for 5 years until 1988 allowing them to engage in one of their favorite sports, sailing. Howard was self-employed as an engineer consultant for various companies during that time and they moved to DePere, Wisconsin, where he had the great pleasure of working with his son, Scott who is also a mechanical engineer.

Howard and Janice traveled to many far eastern countries such as Korea, Taiwan, Thailand for work, and Peru and Costa Rica for mission trips. Upon retirement, Howard and Janice sold their home and possessions, bought an RV and became missionaries. They participated in church building missions for the Assemblies of God Church through the MAPS RV (now Church Mobilization) program for over 10 years. They participated in construction on over 20 church and facility projects from Maine, to Alaska, and to Texas.

Howard deeply loved spending time with his family, working side by side with his children teaching them a strong work ethic, especially on the farm. He taught his children a love of play as well, being an avid skier, pilot, and sailor, winning many races in numerous types of boats. He competed in the Chicago to Mackinac Race 17 times. His intelligence and demeanor made him an expert at work and at play. Howard was also an accomplished musician and was offered a full musical scholarship in addition to his engineering scholarship. He sang in church choirs, played the piano beautifully, and fondly remembered his high school marching band days of playing the sousaphone.

Howard is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janice Ainsworth; his daughters, Ann Steinberg, and Suzanne Jardine; his sons, John Ainsworth, and his wife Sue, and Scott Ainsworth, and his wife Kim; his grandchildren, Thomas Jardine, Arielle Thomasy and her husband Brandon, Hayley Nuffer and her husband Kyle, Genevieve Harlow and her husband Ethan, Ian Ainsworth and his wife Faith, Isaac Ainsworth and his wife Ashley, and Cameron Kendal; his great-grandchildren, Quinton and Jensen Thomasy, Zane Nuffer, James and Evelyn Harlow, Ira and Milo Ainsworth, and William, Lily and Jack Ainsworth.

Memorials may be made to:

Church Mobilization (formerly MAPS RV)

1445 N Boonville Ave.

Springfield, MO 65802

417-862-2781 ext.1391

https://churchmobilization.ag.org/Giving

Or

University of Maine – Pulp and Paper Foundation

5737 Jenness Hall

Orono, Maine 04469

(207) 581-2297

https://umaineppf.org/giving/

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on Howard’s “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.