MEET YOUR TOWN STAFF
Howard Henderson
Department of Public Services
Byjacquie Pipkin
Howard Henderson began our interview by explaining that his story was not
that interesting. I will let the reader be the judge of that. When I asked Howard
what his position is in the Pine Knoll Shores Department of Public Services (DPS),
I couldn’t seem to get a direct answer. When I asked what his responsibilities are,
Howard replied, “This, that and the other.” Here’s why.
“This” is maintenance of the town’s buildings and highways on the right of way
as well as the beach accesses. “That” would be investigating water leaks, assisting
with meter reading for those meters not yet electronic, and driving the yard waste
truck. “The other” would be whatever has to do with public safety in Pine Knoll
Shores, including citizens’ requests for assistance with yard waste removal.
Howard explains that while there are Pine Knoll Shores guidelines for the DPS
responsibilities, the overall philosophy of the department is humanitarian in nature.
Their motto: “Citizens First.” For example, Howard once found a distressed dog
walker whose dog was having a seizure. He was able to assist, then took the owner
and the dog home. When sharks are found beached, Howard and DPS take care
of the sharks, but not before turning the situation into a learning opportunity for
the crowd that one typically finds surrounding a dead shark. Along with staff from
the aquarium who join them, they identify the species of shark (usually it is a sand
or nurse shark) and let those who want to examine it do so. Often this is the first
experience for some, especially the wide-eyed children, to be so close to a shark.
Howard enjoys taking every opportunity that comes his way to share his knowledge
about the uniqueness of Pine Knoll Shores’ maritime forest environment.
Howard was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon graduating from high school,
he joined the Air Force, where he served as a B-52 crew chief. After his military
service, he moved to Texas where he worked in an oil field until the gas crisis neces
sitated a change of career, working as a carpenter until he broke his back and was
forced to leave the construction business. Howard’s next chapter brought him to an
auction house in Texas where he gained experience in auctioneering antiques and
collectibles.
Howard’s extensive knowledge and understanding of oceanic flora and fauna
comes from his love of the water and the experiences gained from living and work
ing on the water. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, live on a 46-foot Hunter sailboat on
Pivers Island.
Howard met Mary Ellen in 1977 when he was in the Air Force. He knew imme
diately that he wanted Mary Ellen to be his wife, and he told her so. The time wasn t
right, but they kept in touch over the years. In 2001, Howard received an invitation
from Mary Ellen to visit her in Maryland where she lived. Self-described as hyper-
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active, Howard found it difficult
to remain inactive while Mary
Ellen worked during the day. On
the second day of his planned
two-week visit, he mowed Mary
Ellen’s 20-acre farm where she
raised horses. On the third day
he found a job at a production
framing company. Mary Ellen
married him, and Howard never
went back to Texas.
In Maryland, Howard gave
sailing lessons at the Chesapeake
Sailing School, specializing in
teaching underprivileged chil
dren. In addition to providing
sailing instruction, Howard
developed a rapport with his stu
dents and they, in turn, began to
trust him and their counselors.
In the fall of 2004, Howard
and Mary Ellen started on a sail
ing voyage to Texas, but a fierce
storm in the lower Chesapeake
Bay halted their progress. After
two days of 10-12 foot seas and
55-knot winds, the couple’s 36-
Howard Henderson is a valued member of the Pine
Knoil Shores Department of Public Services. He is
pictured here at his daughter’s farm in Glade Hill,
Virginia, a favorite destination when he gets some
down time.—Photo by Mary Ellen Eurich
foot sloop and their spirits were
severely damaged. They docked
in Beaufort in winter and decided to wait for calmer weather before navigating the
gulf coast. While in Beaufort, Howard worked at Town Creek Marina, where he
served as Dock Master from 2004-2008. The trip to Texas was postponed indefi
nitely.
In 2005 Mary Ellen opened a boat detailing business; however, the oncoming
recession negatively affected the business and she had to let her employees go. For
tuitously, Mary Ellen saw an advertisement in the local paper for a part-time public
services position in Pine Knoll Shores. Howard interviewed, was hired, and in three
years his position became full time.
In addition to his town duties, Howard continues to auctioneer. With the aid of
Mary Ellen, a realtor, his company. Auctioneers on Deck, is able to auction proper
ties as well as their contents. The Hendersons contribute their auctioning services
to benefit all local organizations conducting fundraising auctions, including Kayak
for the Warriors, Friends of the Museum in Beaufort and the Carolina Chocolate
Festival. The couple are supporters of arts education in the public schools and firm
ly believe that it should remain as part of the curriculum. Each year Howard con
ducts an auction for the Beaufort Women’s Club, the proceeds of which go directly
to public school students, specifically for the purchase of classroom art supplies.
The Hendersons have two daughters—Angie, a veterinarian in Washington, DC,
and Anna, a veterinary technician in Roanoke, Virginia. They have one grandson.
Hunter. Facetiously, I asked Howard what he likes to do in his spare time. He
replied, “Pardon me?” Surprisingly, he answered that when time allows, he likes to
go shooting on his daughter’s farm.
Normally at the end of these staff interviews I ask the interviewee what
people would be surprised to learn about him or her. Howard’s life has been so
interesting—and surprising—that I decided to skip that question this time. Our
interview concluded with Betty Carr’s informing Howard that a refrigerator had
washed up on the beach. Just another “this, that and the other” needing Howard’s .
attention.
18 Tlie Shoreline I June 2017