Howard M. Kirstel

Howard M Kirstel was born April 9, 1944 in New York, New York and celebrated his 78th birthday last month. Howard died on Monday afternoon, May 23, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Howard lived in New York, attending public school through junior high when he relocated to San Jose, California with his parents Sam and Rose Kirstel, to be closer to their daughter, his sister, “Joyce” and her 5 children. 

A job transfer brought him to Colorado Springs, where he enjoyed participating in the community in music and theater.  During this time, he met and married the live of his life Gretchen Kirstel.  They remained married until her death in 2014.

Howard loved to play folk and rock music, acting professionally, publishing poetry, playing the piano at the Golden Bee, serving as a synagogue cantor, giving voice and music lessons, and producing musicals.

Howard is survived by his five nephews and nieces; daughter Deborah Elayne (Joseph Allen) Bush; step-children Kathy (Rick) Hartzler; Brent (Chizuru) Sowersby; grandchildren, Lorna, Warren and Emilia as well as other extended family.

Howard will be missed and we will find comfort knowing he is reunited with Gretchen, friends and family that has gone before him.

Services were held at Temple Shalom on May 29, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There will be a private celebration of life later in the summer when family members living internationally can travel.  

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