Kev you were true gentleman and such a big part of our family even though we couldn’t be further away by flight. Your generosity had no boundaries and I’ve never tasted or drank the best food and wine other than with you Janette and David. Your passing has been met with much sorrow in NZ. Rest well my friend.

Dan Reed

I will miss Kevin’s wonderful humour, his friendly teasing, his compliments and his unrestrained generosity. The number of family meals out I was invited to was amazing and he and the family always made sure it was the best experience ever.
He gave good hugs too.
Unforgettably lovely man.

Bridget Hunt

It has taken me a long time to write these words for Kevin, truly because I could not believe he has gone.
Then I realised that according to my Hindu beliefs, he has not gone but instead merely left this physical world and still remains as an eternal part of all of us who loved him.
Kevin would have liked that because chiefly he was a man of science based on rational thought and open to all the possibilities in life, whatever the final outcome.
As young men, we spent many good years together in research for our PhDs at London University.
We thought and worked independently, but helped and supported each other at every step, as we continued to do for nearly 40 years of friendship, now extending to our loved ones and family.
Those formative years were wonderful because we had the freedom to work and think together, but also laugh and play and even dream together on everything from music, sport and the merits of the female form admired as carefree young men in the playground that was London back then.
We had close contests playing squash because Kevin was so tenacious and strong to match my better but lazy game! I never tried rugby of course…
Kevin’s love for food and drink matured from eating whole chickens at Khan’s restaurant to a great knowledge of fine wine and whiskey, together with only the best of international cuisine.
Going out to dinner along with our families, we were never happier and I am sure that Kevin would want us to continue the same love of life with Jeannette and David. New chapters will open and some chapters may close, but we will always remain joined reading from the same book.
Forever yours Kevin: love from Dhiren, Mina, Shivan and Ashwin

Dhiren Bhatt

I will remember Kevin as a gentle and quiet person, who was economical with his words, but generous in his loyalty and warmth. We are sorry to lose him so early, but are fortunate to be able to reflect on the fact that he lived his life as he wanted to, with the family he loved, and achieved so much in his professional life too. I know that he and my late father, Keith, worked together on one or more occasions, and Pa always spoke very highly of Kevin professionally and enjoyed working with him. We have great memories of being entertained at Jeannette and Kevin’s, so it is always easy to remember Kevin in the kitchen of Richmond Road – a house of the highest culinary standards! I enjoyed my conversations with him; he was very knowledgeable in many areas – hifis to proteomics – and appreciated sharing his interest in them. More even than that, though, I will always think of Kevin as one of those people who, if the chips were really down, you could have asked for help, and would be given it with no strings attached. I never had the need, but I know he would have been there – we go through our lives with unspoken support from people who do not always know what they are giving. That generous spirit is now continued in Kevin’s kidney donations after his death. Our condolences go to Jeannette, David and Sarah, to Marlene, and to wider family and friends. With love, Patrick, Mary, Charlotte, Carmen and Sean Hubble.

Patrick Hubble

Sadly none of the New Zealand Reeds will be able to be with you in the celebration of Kevin’s life.
Sixty one is much to young to leave this life but knowing Kevin,its the way he would have chosen,although the suddenness has had to hard on Jeannette David and Marlene.The suddenness of it shook all of us here when when we heard he was in trouble the phones were a buzz but still disbelief when Jeannette told us of his passing.
However the Kevin we knew will want us to remember the good and happy times we had,and there was plenty of them,Naturally all our trips to UK started with the Howes picking us up from Heathrow and then back to Richmond Road.where the inevitable Sav Blanc and Dragon beer awaited us,soon to be followed by a pack of cards and countless games of 500. Jeannette I hope you realise we couldn’t have started our holiday in a better way.
Your New Zealand trips too were a lot of fun as well, Corramandal,Raglan, Patetonga, New. Years day, all good times which brings to mind one of out successful fishing trips.With quite a lot of snapper to prepare Kevin arrives at the filleting table with a knife and made a very good job of bonding the fish,when asked where did he learn to do that his reply was “just learned it on google this morning”
Many more memories.Mark Spits impersonation,Marlene and Margret’s trip and plenty more what we will recall when we meet up.
Jeannette David Marlene and Sarah our hearts are with you today and we look forward to be able to remiss those happy times.
Rest In Peace Kevin.

Brian Reed

It was a pleasure for me, on everyone’s behalf, to welcome Kevin into the Reed family on his and Jeannette’s wedding day, when he got his “MRS” to top his “PHD”. I enjoyed Kevin’s company and his dry humour. He was naturally a kind person – he would always insist on getting me home safely from Ealing to Chiswick. I shall miss him and remember him with love and affection.

With love, Marian Hubble.

I was devastated when I heard the news that Kevin had had a heart attack and then passed away. Kevin was one of the most generous people I know. When I arrived in London after an 8 month detour from NZ, Kevin met me at the airport with the rest of the family and took me in like a lost puppy, and did everything he could to help me set up my life in London. I will never forgot our long lunches that turned into dinners and the antics that followed. I hope where ever you are mate you’re enjoying a glass of the finest champagne.

Stu Reed

Kevin,
If you were sitting next to me as I write this, I feel certain you would be saying “now Ejaz don’t write anything soppy!” That said, my friend its very hard not to get emotional.
My one regret is that we had not spoken for a while, but despite this we were part of a unique, eclectic family that was Arno Rosen’s research community. So, despite the distance the love and affection was always there between all of us. Your humour, sharp scientific brain, love of life but above all your integrity and generosity can never, and will never be forgotten. Thank you for the wonderful friendship, the laughs and your abundant support.

Porffwys mewn heddwch fy ffrind

Ejaz Nabi

Dear David and Jeanette

It’s really impossible to find the words that do kevin and our friendship justice and to express my deep feelings for him. This is a stream of consciousness. Edit it if you want this was from the heart and unedited.

Kevin and I first met 37 or so years ago at
Kings college . As PhD students we were given autonomy to develop our scientific hypothesis and execute our experiments . But both kevin I, and dhiren became inseparable as we forged a life long friendship doing anything but phd work for years . Kevin was a larger than life former rugby player that could drink us under the table and some ,however I had the edge on food . The only time kevin got sick was on a bender where “we went around the world drinking” native stuff I have avoided ever since , long after we had passed out kevin continued finally finishing Most of the revolting Tunisian fig brandy ,… he nearly made it home on the tube in one piece but not quite the Tunisian fig brandy had its revenge . Kevin shared welsh culture and stories with me I first got to know about the Welly method for those quiet, lonely moments in the valley .we also learned martial arts together he was a ferocious competitor in the ring but was gentle as a lamb ( pun intended) had a dignity and humility about him and a fierce loyalty . Kevin was immensely smart , smart enough to know that Jeannette was his soul mate , the two were inseparable in college , they were like two love sick teenagers . Now Kevin’s and Jeannette’s greatest achievement other than their enduring love came from the the one time they actually had sex the outcome was david an impressive young man whom kevin was immensely proud of and makes us all proud.

Kevin went on to achieve great things professionally his brilliance shone through in the various fields he mastered, he was a true polymath. In 1995 I left for the USA and the decades rolled on but like a fine wine our friendship evolved and became deeper. We were brothers from different mothers.

Kevin’s passion for life was intense and he grew to love the finer things in life which we enjoyed together . Boy did kevin love life and to live …

A few years ago both I and kevin found the opportunity to work together , kevin led a new initiative called precision medicine at our company . This project is a highly complex initiative that is totally cutting edge … Star Wars for gi disease . Kevin’s was a tour de force , his experience, expertise , network was fundamental to the success of this project he helped put it on the right path . Most importantly his leadership skills , loyalty and integrity not to mention his love of life helped him form friendships with other leaders in precision medicine inspiring them to do great things and forging strong bonds based on mutual respect which made the difference. Our sadness and grief at Kevin’s premature loss is palpable but at the same time we want to celebrate his life as he would have wanted.

Kevin you will live in our minds , our hearts and through products that have the potential to transform millions of lives . precision medicine will honor your memory with an award for distinguished scientific accomplishment .

I do feel a profound sense of loss, at the same I cannot believe you will no longer be with us . Kevin Our thoughts and love go to your family during this time of great sadness. Kevin we will honor you and celebrate your life ….keep an eye on things .

Luv
Harry Nej and Jack

Kevin,
It was devastating to hear of your passing. I will miss your honesty, truth & the genuine care you showed to those around you. I wish I had the opportunity to have known you longer, but I guess it would have made the sadness that much more. I will always remember our trip to Scotland where a true friendship was born. We will keep you close in our memories & will always do our best to honor the things you stood for. I always looked forward to your visits, but now, I know you’ll drop in from time to time. You were a great boss & a better friend. Rest In Peace my friend & I’ll look forward to our next meeting.

Nelson Quintana

I only knew Kevin for 5 years but he made a tremendous impact on my life both professionally and personally. We were colleagues at Progenity and it was clear from the start his passion for his work and his incredible knowledge across a range of topics. He helped me improve my knowledge and skill in too many areas to mention and most importantly in critical problem solving and being able to cut to the chase. He had a keen ability to know what was wrong and right from both a technical and ethical perspective. What we have accomplished at Progenity could never have been done without him and he is sadly missed by the entire team. He was one of the most loyal people I have met and was always quick to support team members and friends. Beyond our working relationship, Kevin became a dear friend. Kevin was full of life which was no more evident to me than on our multiple business trips to Europe where we got to experience numerous dinners where his witty sense of humor came out even stronger after a few drinks. Over the last couple of years we spoke nearly daily tackling countless work problems but also speaking of food, sports and most importantly family. Nothing was more important to Kevin than Jeannette and David and he spoke of them often with great affection and his pride in David was immense. He cherished his family time and I always enjoyed receiving pictures of their many celebrations. Kevin will be deeply missed but his memory will live on in both the contribution he made to our work but more importantly the friendships and lives he changed. My thought and love go out to Jeannette and David and everyone else who got to the privilege of knowing Kevin Howe.

Chris Wahl