In Memory of Howard Selwyn

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Thinking of the family particularly today. I got such a shock 10 years ago when there was a photo of Howard and Ruth in one of the newspapers. Ruth and I were friends during our teenage years and my connection now is indirect - through other family members and associated friends.

I know there was a Leeds Utd link too!

Thoughts go to their children and everyone else in the family. I still think it is unbelievable but I was in London on 7/7 so I know the awful reality and wish people could live side by side without judgement or prejudice. X x x

*** Posted by Jeanne Barczewska (nee Benedict) on 2011-09-11 ***

My mum worked with Les, Howards dad and as I worked in a Travel Agents I used to find the family flights out for them to visit which introduced me to Howard. After a few months chatting he invited me out to NY to visit him and Ruth, I did! Fantastic week. Howard worked in Wall Street then and I can remember meeting him face to face, swoon! Ruth was equally warm and inviting and James was 4! Had an amazing week, it was just after U2 had played on a roof on a building in Manhattan and they watched, they kept singing their songs all the week. I had my nails done with Ruth and we shopped. We went for dinner with his friend Billie, a new york cop. They were fun, trendy, generous and incredibly in love. I will always remember a card which Howard sent to Ruth, she showed me, he wrote that  she was his wife, lover and his very best friend. What a waste and a total car crash of a warm and beautiful family. Hope the boys are happy with their lives, so much love to them and so much sorrow for a beautiful couple

*** Posted by wendy garthwaite/hegarty on 2011-09-10 ***

I knew Howard a very long time ago when I was 18yrs old. We worked together at the DHSS in Leeds.He was a lovely,charming,funny,kind man and he is especially in my thoughts at this time almost 10 yrs since that horrific day.

Sue Johnson(nee Atkinson)

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2011-08-19 ***

James, Amanda, Alex,

Thinking of you all today and remembering Howard fondly.

Roxanne

*** Posted by Roxanne Kane Scruggs on 2011-05-02 ***

Howard is from my Hometown in Leeds, UK
although I never new him, I know his father, who goes to our synagogue. This has always made the events of 9/11 seem all the more personal and affecting, knowing of someone from my town who was personally touched by these terrible events.
To Howard and ALL the victims, you are always in our thoughts. May you rest in peace. We will never forget.

*** Posted by B. Levy on 2009-09-10 ***

You are still in my thoughts, especially that wonder save you made, stopping me from scoring an embarrassing o.g. [own goal] Whoa!

*** Posted by simon phillips on 2008-09-11 ***

G-d bless you both; you are constantly in our thoughts.

*** Posted by edward & helen harrison on 2008-05-29 ***

Howard, you are forever in our thoughts, as is Ruth. We love and miss you both so much. We are, and always will be, there for your boys; that is unconditional!

Our love always,
Russell, Tracy, and Josh xx

*** Posted by Russell Selwyn on 2007-09-10 ***

I worked with Howard at the DHSS many years ago and remember him as a true gent. My lasting memory is of his last day at the office when he shook hands with all the men and kissed each lady fondly on the cheek. During a recent visit to New York I visited ground zero, and he was in my thoughts. May he rest in peace.

*** Posted by Gledhill Eileen on 2006-12-30 ***

Howard would have been 55 this year if his life hadn't been so tragically cut short on 9/11. A clerk at the DHSS in Leeds, no one, not even his mum, would imagine seeing him rise to become vice president of a Wall Street merchant bank. Howard was a great footballer and fan of his adored Leeds Utd. Together we watched them both here and abroad during their heady days in the 1970's. We went to watch England play at Wembley and slept 8 to a room at the Regent Palace Hotel.

He was active in charity work even as a teenager; we worked together on Xmas mornings at St James Hospital to allow non-Jewish staff to have a few hours with their families. We organised Xmas parties for underprivileged children and sat together in the freezing cold guarding the Jewish cemetery during the darkest days of National Front activity. Howard was a giver, a contributor.

I went to stay with him and his wife Ruth, not long after they moved to the U.S. in 1985. He told me a funny story. The manager of a local Jewish soccer team couldn't win them a game and languished at the foot of the table. Howard was asked to watch and give the benefit of his advice. After the game the manager approached Howard to ask his opinion, "Well," he replied, "In England 11 people kick the ball and only one does the shouting." With Howard's contribution as the new goalie, they didn't go on to score many more goals, but they didn't let any in either.

I used to think there were two kinds of people, those that gave and those that took. Now I'm sure. Another lad, also from Leeds, made a video before blowing himself and his fellow citizens to smithereens in London. He told us that whilst we love life, he worshipped death. Did this somehow made him stronger and better than Howard? Right, in the eyes of God? Is this some sort of superior being, this taker? Is this a person whose actions some admire? Someone to be looked up to?

People like Howard show us all that those who worship life will never be defeated by those that love death.

Also in rememberence of Ruth, his wife, so tragically passed away last week, we remember them, their children and pray for the health of Howard's mother.

Jonathan Klineberg

*** Posted by Jonathan Klineberg on 2006-09-13 ***

Howard was our son's soccer coach. His compassion, energy, and humor as well as dedication to the game and the children, will always be remembered.

*** Posted by Myra Demeter on 2006-09-11 ***

the best

*** Posted by ed harrison on 2006-09-07 ***

A family man, striking, intelligent and highly interesting. The best that can be said of anyone can be said of him. Howard was a gentleman.
His tragic death highlighted, to me a believer in G-d, that for anyone who believes the murderers of innocent people like Howard to 'advertise' a cause will not enjoy everlasting life in paradise; not they, nor those that offer support through silence, or mealy mouthed words of blame or  'comparisons' or justification.
Adults, whether individuals or nations, whilst seeking to only blame others for their problems or plights, are beyond hope.

*** Posted by jonathan klineberg on 2004-05-25 ***

I never really knew Howard.  My dad did though.  He played soccer with Howard.  The few times I did meet him he always gave me a huge smile and shook my hand--you just got a good sense that he was a kind generous and loving person.  My dad said that he was very rare.  When my dad found out that Howie was in the towers, his face dropped like I never seen before.  He couldn't believe it.  He always said that Howie was such a unique spirit with a generous and loving heart especially for his family.  God Bless Howie and his family.

*** Posted by Catherine on 2004-04-24 ***

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