Stuart S. Howards

Stuart S. Howards, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 4th, 2026. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Carter Howards and survived by his children, Penelope "Penny" and Hugh; daughter-in-law, Alyssa; granddaughters Nina and Sage; and sister Judith Helburn. He was born to the late Ann Levin Horwitz and Harvey Horwitz and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned his undergraduate degree at Yale University and attended medical school at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Following medical school, Dr. Howards completed a residency in Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard University before joining the Public Health Service and conducting research on renal and cardiovascular physiology at the National Institutes of Health. He finished his training with a residency in Urology at Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard University before joining the Urology Department at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he worked for over 40 years.

During his career, Dr. Howards served the American Board of Urology for 24-years in roles including President and Executive Secretary. He also served as Treasurer for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine for 15 years, and multiple roles, including President, of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons. In addition, Dr. Howards was Editor-in-Chief of Investigative Urology for over 15 years and was co-editor of the textbook, Infertility in the Male. Early in his career, Dr. Howards won the Gold Cystoscope Award from the American Urological Association, and in 2013, he was awarded the Keyes Medal for outstanding contributions in the advancement of Urology by the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons. In addition to his contributions to the field, Dr. Howards was a dedicated teacher and mentor whose guidance shaped the careers of generations of urologists. He was also a compassionate physician. One of his favorite ways to put pediatric patients at ease was to ask them if they were married, which always made the children laugh.

At home, Dr. Howards was known for his third-grade sense of humor, which his children and later his grandchildren appreciated, even as they aged past the third grade. His playful wit belied his intellect, which kept his children on their toes as he was known to switch sides in a discussion after convincing them that his original position was correct. Dr. Howards taught his family about generosity and compassion through example, and he will be missed not just by his family but by the many people who crossed his path. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103. A celebration of his life will be held at the Alpha Chapel at the Bethania Visitor Center, 5393 Ham Horton Lane, on Saturday November 7th, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. The family will be receiving friends following the memorial from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at 1703 Restaurant & Catering, 1703 Robinhood Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27104. Condolences may be made online at https://www.hayworth-miller.com.