Dr. Thomas Hower’s nearly 60-year career as a Greensburg chiropractor was a natural fit.
He spent his childhood years upstairs from the Main Street office where his similarly named father, a second-generation chiropractor, worked — and where he also would see patients as an adult.
“A gentlemen came into the office on a stretcher and was unable to walk,” said the younger Hower’s daughter, Ida Williams. “Sure enough, his dad treated him, and the man came out walking. I think that was enough for my dad to say, ‘I want to do that.’
“He wanted to help people and make them better. That’s how he was drawn to chiropractic care.”
Dr. Thomas A. Hower, 80, of Unity died unexpectedly July 14, 2020, at his home.
Born July 9, 1940, in Greensburg, he was a son of the late Thomas and Maxine Hower.
Dr. Hower had reduced his workload with advancing years but still was seeing patients shortly before his death, Williams said.
“It was very helpful to have a dad in the health field,” she said, recalling how she injured her nose as a young girl in a spill while horseback riding. “He took one look at my nose, did a quick little adjustment and said, ‘You’re good.’ ”
Dr. Hower made every effort to provide the best possible life for his son, Charles, who has developmental and physical disabilities, and he made the same effort for others through his involvement with the ARC of Westmoreland and the Greensburg Rotary club. That included partnering with the Rotary for nearly 30 years to host an annual fishing derby for ARC clients with special needs and their families at a pond on his Unity property.
“It was great for them to have that experience,” Williams said. “There are lots of blue gill and bass there. It was so easy to catch the fish, and it gave them an opportunity to be with their peers and their families at the same time.”
His service to others was recognized in 2001, when he was named Rotarian of the Year and received the Community Service Group of the Year Award from ARC.
Dr. Hower enjoyed sharing his passion for outdoor pursuits, including fishing, hunting, golfing and horseback riding, with family and friends.
“He enjoyed trying new things,” Williams said.
After the 2012 death of Jannette, his wife for more than 50 years, he developed an interest in learning new kitchen skills.
“He loved watching cooking shows and creating dishes,” Williams said. “He became a master at cooking chili. He could cook a venison roast to perfection.”
His ultimate satisfaction was recreating his grandmother’s recipe for sugar pie.
A 1962 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, he was president of the Westmoreland County Chiropractic Association from 1970 to 1972.
Daughter Rebecka Hutchinson, is carrying on the family’s chiropractic trade, while Williams and a third daughter, Elizabeth, work in education.
Dr. Hower and his wife were “very devoted to all of us,” Williams said. “They made sure we pursued our dreams and were very supportive.”
Dr. Hower is survived by his children, Elizabeth Hower of Hempfield, Charles “Chuckie” Hower of Coraopolis, Rebecka Hutchinson of Greensburg and her husband, Michael, and Ida Williams of Burgettstown and her husband, TL; and four grandchildren.
Because of covid-19 precautions, there will be no public visitation or service. A moment of silence will be observed during the July 11, 2021, wedding of his granddaughter Nicole Bradley and her fiance, Allen Layton.
Kepple-Graft Funeral Home of Greensburg was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made in honor of Chuckie Hower, to Merakey Allegheny Valley School, 1996 Ewings Mill Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108-3380, or visit https://avs.merakey.org. Building 1A Activity Fund should be noted in the memo line.
