Roger H. Howe is a man of remarkable versatility and determination, having built multiple successful careers across dramatically different fields. A decorated U.S. Air Force pilot, a systems analyst and programmer for Bank of America, and a dedicated Taekwondo master and school owner, Howe exemplifies lifelong learning and discipline. As the current Taekwondo master and owner of Whitewright Martial Arts Center, he continues to inspire others through his leadership, perseverance, and deep commitment to excellence.
An Exceptional Military Career
Howe began his career on an academic foundation, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in physics and an option in computer science from Purdue University in 1970. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and trained to become a pilot. Howe considers graduating from flight school a major life achievement. Another milestone was being assigned to the 41st Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron in California.
During his military career, Howe flew a C-130 aircraft from Hamilton Air Force Base in San Rafael, California and later from McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento. He held the rank of captain when he retired from the military and entered civilian life.
Balancing Two Careers
In the late 1980s, Howe commenced his martial arts training. He earned a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo under the guidance of a ninth-degree grandmaster in the early 1990s. After this significant achievement, he partnered with a friend, who also held a black belt, to reopen a martial arts school that had been closed for several months. The two taught classes at the Whitewright Martial Arts Center for the next four years.
When his partner at the martial arts school decided to move on, Howe took over as sole owner. Meanwhile, he was also working full-time at Bank of America, where his area of expertise was in mainframe and microcomputer programming in the banking and insurance areas of the industry.
For nearly two decades, Howe handled the two careers simultaneously. His dedication to his banking career financed his martial arts school during times of low enrollment. He attributes his ability to successfully balance obligations to perseverance and often points to Winston Churchill’s advice to “Never, never, never give up.”
Howe believes that, along with his ability to persevere through difficult times, the discipline he learned from his military and professional career has been key to his accomplishments. He makes it a point to instill this value in the students at his martial arts school.
Not Slowing Down
Howe has been active in his profession for more than three decades, but he has no plans to slow down. His goal is to “survive and thrive.”
One of Howe’s plans is to attempt testing for grandmaster status in Taekwondo, which requires earning a 7th-degree black belt. He currently holds a sixth-degree black belt and is a third-level master.
Howe is also challenging himself by restoring a 1937 Packard automobile. The restoration is a learning process, and he prides himself on learning how to paint the car’s body and assemble the engine. Howe is excited to finish this personal project so he can enjoy driving the restored Packard on the road.
For Howe’s expertise in martial arts, he was included in Marquis Who’s Who in April of 2025.
