Howard E. 'Bud' Pinder Jr.

LAUREL - Howard E. "Bud" Pinder Jr., of Laurel, died at his home on Saturday, June 28, 2008.

He was born on April 30, 1938, the son of Gertrude and Howard E. Pinder of Clayton. What a blessed event!

Howard graduated from Smyrna High School in 1956.

During his summers he worked as a lifeguard in Wildwood, N.J.

In 1957 he joined the U.S. Marines and served until 1960.

In 1962 he became a trooper in the Delaware State Police. He retired in 1981 with the rank of lieutenant.

Howard was given the opportunity to work not only up the state and down, but also at headquarters in Dover.

He loved the work and enjoyed the new cars and being paid to drive fast.

Howard began his career at Delaware Technical & Community College in 1981, where he was the chairman of the Criminal Justice Department.

He loved his time at DTCC where he had the chance to mentor students, young and old, those starting on a new and sometimes scary paths, and then seeing their metamorphoses from people with little hope or confidence to self-assured, assertive individuals capable of attaining their life/career goals.

Howard took great pleasure in seeing many of his former students achieve their goals. He retired after 23 years in 2003.

Howard was a graduate of the University of Delaware in 1975 with a degree in criminal justice and criminology. He received his master's degree in administration and research from American University in 1979.

He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Kristine Collins; two sons, Eric Pinder of Wilmington and Craig Pinder and his wife Lisa of Collegeville, Pa.; three grandchildren, Logan Pinder of Wilmington, Lauren and Ryan Pinder of Collegeville, Pa.; and four sisters, Nancy, Jeanette, Eleanor and Cindy.

Howard loved working on classic cars, traveling in his fifth wheel, and his two cats, Bear and Max. He had no regrets and lived life to the fullest. Howard missed little of what life had to offer.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life, which will be held from 4-8 p.m. July 12 at his home.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Delaware Technical & Community College, Owens Campus Scholarship Fund, Line 210, P.O. Box 610, Georgetown, DE 19947.

Arrangements by Cranston Funeral Home, Seaford.