In Memory of Rod Howarth

Rod Howarth, my dear friend of twenty eight years died last week on Monday 21st October.  

His contribution to ufology was unsurpassed; never in the limelight of this subject, but always in the background supporting, advising and a steady force of rationality, laughter and good solid research without the drama and politics that so often pervades this subject.

His library of UFO and paranormal DVDS is large, and he spent years collecting UFO movies and documentaries from around the world.  It is an accolade to Rod that he gave so much of his time collating this enormous library for future research and information.

My friendship with Rod began many years ago in 1991 when. I attended a UFO conference in 1991 entitled 6th International Congress – UFOs The Global view.  It was a three-day conference in Sheffield being sponsored and presented by the British UFO Research Association (BUFORA) and the Independent UFO Network (IUN).  It was to be a foray into the UFO world that was mesmerising and when I walked into a very crowded Sheffield Theatre Library, I remember feeling overwhelmed by all the groups of people and their very strange conversations which I heard fleetingly all around the area in the foyer.

Then, suddenly, I saw a tall 6ft guy striding towards me with a big smile and he said hello and that he was Rod Howarth with the Independent UFO Network and he just wanted to welcome me to the conference.  I felt much less overwhelmed in a matter of moments.  He introduced me to his colleagues from the IUN and gave me a light hearted overview of everything going on and ensured I was included in his group of his friends and colleagues during the three day conference.  This was my introduction to the strange and fascinating world of Ufology at the beginning of the 1990s. Rod was a source of fun and laughter with his view of ufology and the people who were involved with the subject. 

He was not ever critical or judgemental and allowed people their opinions and beliefs but would make  suggestions and give other viewpoints to create balance and information. He taught me much in the early days and throughout the years ahead. Thank you Rod.

Rod will be sadly missed by so very many in the UFO community with his huge heart, his kindness, thoughtfulness and his joy of life; and his very natural ability to connect with and welcome everyone into the many events and conferences that he attended and helped organise during the heady time of the 90s when the UFO subject reached an all-time high. We shall all miss him terribly.

On behalf of BUFORA, I would like to express our deepest sympathy to his wife, Pat, his sons and his grandchildren for their loss. 

Foremost and above all, Rod was a family man and his family were the source of his greatest inspiration.

You will never be forgotten my friend.

Gloria Heather Dixon (BUFORA)