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Howard W. Peak, IV. passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024 at the age of 75, surrounded by friends and family. Howard was born 12/31/1948 in Tokyo, Japan to Major Howard and Virginia Peak. To ensure he was born a Texan, his father had Texas soil sent to Japan and placed under the bed so there would be no doubt. The family returned to Texas after several years and settled in San Antonio. Howard graduated from Alamo Heights High School, The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Masters of Arts in Urban Studies- Environmental Management. Before entering politics, Howard had a distinguished professional career. He served in the U.S. Army, became a City Planner with the City of San Antonio, worked for Tom Turner to help develop the Sonterra area, had a consulting business and taught at Trinity University in the Urban Administration Graduate program. Howard decided he wanted to make a difference in San Antonio and entered politics. From 1993 to 2001, he served as Councilman and Mayor. He saw the need for a planned approach to growth which led to a major revision of the Uniform Development Code. Howard felt the passing of the updated code was one of his biggest accomplishments. Known as the "Water" mayor, he was responsible for initiating the San Antonio River Improvements project, in partnership with Bexar County and the San Antonio River Authority. He led efforts to limit development over the Edwards Aquifer by helping to create and pass the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program, a program that allowed purchase of lands over the sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. And he helped create San Antonio's first comprehensive water plan. Howard's vision to create walking/running/bicycle trails along the creeks while providing flood control became a reality with the creation of the Greenway Trail System. In 2008, he was awarded the State Trail Advocacy Award from the American Trails National Program and in 2013 the Trail System was renamed the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System. Other honors Howard received include the President's Award Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association for Outstanding Contribution to the field of Planning, and Honorary Member Texas Society of Architects. He also was a founding member of the Urban and Regional Planning Council at UTSA. After leaving office in 2001, he went to work for SBC as Executive Director of Municipal Affairs/AT&T as Executive Director of External Affairs. He continued his public service by serving as Chairman of the City's Linear Creekways Parks Advisory Board, The Brooks Development Authority, and San Antonio Water System's Citizen Advisory Committee. He served on numerous other boards including San Antonio Zoological Society, Brackenridge Park Conservancy, and the Military Transformation Task Force, to name a few. Howard's parents instilled in him a deep respect for preservation. He joined the Conservation Society at an early age, served on the board and remained a member all his life. He was always ready for a good party and the Conservation society knew how to throw one. He loved Fiesta and worked the same beer booth at NIOSA for over 30 years. His outside activities were diverse. He taught horseback riding at Ft. Sam, was a volunteer fireman in Alamo Heights in the 1970's, served as President of the Bel Meade Neighborhood Association, and worked on the Bel Meade Architectural committee. He loved his Texas Longhorns, Dallas Cowboys, and the San Antonio Spurs . He played softball, tennis, took up running and was a member of the SA Roadrunners. He loved running and ran every day, ran 10k's, marathons and made long lasting friends in the running community. He also was a bicyclist, competing in the Beach to Bay 150 ride when he was Mayor and was fortunate to skydive with the Golden Knights, a once in a lifetime experience. Howard was a motorhead, a racing enthusiast and a classic car guy. He rebuilt a 1966 442 Oldsmobile and a 1966 Chevelle from the ground up. He often cruised around San Antonio in his 1966 Corvette with the Beach Boys on the radio. He was a motorcycle rider since high school and if he wasn't behind a desk, he was probably on his Harley, riding through the Texas hill country with his motorcycle buddies. Howard had a real soft spot for animals and always had a beagle by his side. If a cat was stuck in a tree, he would rescue it, and then it would follow him home. If a turtle was in the road, he would stop, pick it up and put it out of harms way. If a mama duck and her ducklings looked lost, he would lead them back to a nearby creek, and if a dog was loose and running wild during a thunder- storm, he would coax it to him, pick it up and take it to the nearest vet for safety. Howard received numerous awards and recognitions, and was very proud of his noteworthy achievements, but he wasn't in office for the glory. He was a decent, stand up guy who loved a good cheeseburger, a cold Lone Star or a Margarita, especially with good friends in Port Aransas. He was a kind, approachable and fair leader who wanted responsible development while protecting the environment, more green space for citizens to enjoy the outdoors, better education, and better jobs. There was no hoopla, no hidden agenda and no ego. He just wanted what was best for the City he loved. His dedication to public service, his mild demeanor, his dry sense of humor and mischievous manner will be missed . Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Virginia Peak, his sister Chalfant Peak Boedeker, niece Elisa Peak and brothers-in-law Jimmy and Billy Bratten. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Margie, his sister Gabrielle Peak and her husband Donald Dungan of Smithville, his nephew Hunter Boedeker and his daughter Emery of San Antonio, niece Mary Emily Boedeker, husband Steve and their daughters Adeline and Violet of Dallas, his sister-in-law Trish Bratten, his nephew Porter Bratten, wife Kami and their children Jamie, Beau and Anna of Anacortes, Wa. and his best friend for over 60 years, Burns Waggener who was always there for him. Howard is also survived by numerous cousins and his Annie beagle who was his constant walking buddy. A special thanks to James Alexander, his devoted companion for over 7 years and Sharita Hunter for her many years of loving care. Thanks to all the staff at Arden Court for their care and compassion, to Jessica and Nicole of Axiom Hospice for their attention and kindness and to Heidi D'Amico who worked with him weekly for years. A Celebration of Life will be held at the San Antonio Botanical Center, January 7th, starting at 2:00, 555 Funston Pl. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Mindfull Foundation (supporting research for Alzheimer's and other Neurodegenerative diseases) www.mindfullfoundation.org or PO Box 6662, San Antonio, Texas 78209. Note: all donations made the next 8 weeks via the website will be exclusively in Howard's honor. Animal Defense League, Humane Society or charity of your choice.

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Howard W. Peak IV

December 31, 1948 - November 30, 2024