Howard Kisner Bridges

In loving memory of Howard Kisner Bridges, who passed away at the age of 83 in Traverse City, MI, on September 5, 2026.

Howard was born and raised in Webster Groves, MO, the son of Howard Kisner Bridges, Sr. and Lucy Franklin Bridges. He attended St. Louis Country Day School and Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN. A highlight of his high school days was riding with the Culver Academy Black Horse Troop in the inaugural parade of John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961, along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. He was a proud Compatriot by 8th generation descent from patriot ancestor Henry Franklin of the 2nd Virginia Regiment and belonged to the Northern Michigan Chapter of the MI Society of Sons of the American Revolution.

After serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, Howard began a more than 30-year career in the airline industry, first with Pan American World Airways in St. Louis, then with Japan Airlines in St. Louis and Chicago.

Howard’s love of traveling took him all over the world, but it was at his family’s summer cottage on the North Channel of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron in Canada that he met and soon married his wife, Mary.

He returned almost every summer thereafter to McGregor Bay where he was actively involved in the cottagers’ association and the St. Christopher’s Church community.

Following retirement, Howard and Mary moved from Chicago’s western suburbs to Traverse City, MI, where he quickly embraced his new community and built connections with groups and individuals who shared his varied interests.

Howard will be sadly missed by his friends at the Maritime Heritage Alliance, the Old Town Playhouse’s Aged to Perfection, Society of Traverse Region Ukulele Musicians (STRUM), the Grand Traverse Newcomers poker group, as well as the very active Culver Military Academy Class of 1962 alumni, with whom he had maintained close ties.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Mary Bridges (nee Shea), his sons James (Karen), Tyler (Emily) and daughter Caroline (Jeremy Morrey) Bridges, granddaughters Lucy, Mabel, and Elizabeth Ann, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, Howard was predeceased by his brother, William Bridges of Pinehurst, NC and sister, Jane Evans of Kirkwood, MO.

His travels now ended, Howard’s final resting place will be St. Christopher’s Cemetery on Iroquois Island in McGregor Bay, Ontario, Canada.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the Old Town Playhouse Schmuckal Theater, 148 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City.