A man who played a leadership role in Orangeburg education for more than 50 years, Dr. Robert E. “Wag” Howard, died Tuesday following an extended illness.

The 89-year-old Howard was an architect of school desegregation efforts in the city of Orangeburg.

A Georgetown native, he began teaching at Wilkinson High in 1942, soon after his graduation from then-South Carolina State College. As principal, he and Orangeburg High School Principal William J. Clark worked side by side for a smooth transition to an integrated school system. He served on all S.C. Department of Education committees working toward the objective.

The schools -- the black Wilkinson High and white Orangeburg High -- merged in 1970 to form Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.

Of that time, Howard said in a 2007 interview, “There were some sections that were not ready for the inevitable move to integration. But working with Mr. William J. Clark, faculty support and community support, we worked out all the problems we could and worked around the ones we couldn’t work out.”

Howard said workshops, discussion groups and committees were formed to try to avoid problems during the consolidation.

“We had a cross-section of the community, faculty, students and administrators,” he said. “And everybody worked tirelessly to bring about a smooth transition.”

Today’s Robert E. Howard Middle School, named in his honor, is the former campus of Wilkinson High.

For many, Howard was the personification of the school. Earlier this year, some graduates established a scholarship fund to honor Howard and to be a reminder of Wilkinson. Howard said at the ceremony, “Wilkinson High School still lives.”

Under Howard’s leadership, Wilkinson grew to be one of the top schools in the state.

Howard said in the 2007 interview, “Wilkinson was a unique situation. We had a triangle with (S.C.) State, Claflin and Wilkinson. The colleges shared their resources with the school. It was a model school and we worked hard to stay ahead.”

Howard was a loyal alumnus and active supporter of S.C. State. He was the public address announcer for the Bulldog basketball team, working behind the mike for more than 40 years. He served as announcer for both the men’s and women’s teams since 1974.

Howard also was a longtime press box assistant for Bulldog home football games. He missed his first home contest in four decades earlier this year after being hospitalized shortly before the start of the 2009 season.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 Superintendent Melvin Smoak knows the importance of Howard’s role in education -- and in Smoak’s life and career.

He can talk about Howard as the hearing officer for students facing expulsion, a role Howard played for more than two decades after retirement and even before that. Smoak said he was perfect for the role, with Howard’s decisions rarely if ever being appealed.

But Smoak and Howard go much further back.

Smoak came to work as an educator in the then-Orangeburg District Five in 1974. Howard was there to guide him.

“He took me under his wings like a son,” always telling Smoak to trust his judgment and persevere. “Just keep on working” was Howard’s advice. “He had confidence in you.”

When Smoak, a former state principal of the year and administrator of the year, made the move from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High principal to the district office, Howard was there again for guidance. He was serving as an associate superintendent at the time.

Smoak tells of Howard asking him on day one, “Where’s your tie?” Smoak noted others were not wearing a tie. Howard asked Smoak if he went by any of those names. No. “Well go get your tie.” Smoak did just that.

“He treated me like I was his son. At the same time, he kept that professional connection. If you were wrong, he would tell you,” Smoak said.

According to an announcement by S.C. State, a wake for Howard will be held Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Williams Chapel AME Church. The funeral will be Monday at 4:30 p.m. at Robert E. Howard Middle School.

Bythewood Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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