Howard George Wiedman, 82, of Winter Park, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026.
Howard was born in the Bronx, New York, on February 22, 1944. A lifelong athlete, he played football in high school and went on to attend Union College, where he earned a degree in Biology and played lacrosse. He later received a master’s degree in Educational Administration from New York University.
Howard dedicated much of his career to education, serving as a biology teacher and Head of the Science Department at Trinity Preparatory School, where he taught both middle and high school students. He later pursued his entrepreneurial spirit by opening several delicatessens, including a highly successful deli in New York City's Penn Station.
In 1978, Howard moved to Florida to enjoy a warmer climate. For many years, he served as Head Chef and Volunteer Coordinator at the Coalition for the Homeless in Orlando where he combined his passion for cooking with his commitment to helping others.
Howard will be remembered for his offbeat sense of humor, fun-loving spirit, kindness, and generosity. He believed that a person could be whatever they wanted to be in life, and he embraced that philosophy with characteristic wit. Among his self-appointed titles were President of the International Rudyard Kipling Society, Reverend Doctor Howard Geo Wierdman, and King Howard, Last of the Wiedmans.
He embraced life with enthusiasm and enjoyed a wide range of interests, including camping, road biking, cooking, and attending events at his local Elks Lodge. He was happiest when staying active, connecting with friends, and sharing laughter with those around him. Above all, Howard was devoted to his family and cherished every opportunity to spend time with them.
Howard is survived by his beloved partner of 23 years, Pamela Keith, his daughters, Lisa (Daniel) Calleja of Longwood, Florida and Julie Wiedman (Randall West) of Windermere, Florida; his grandchildren, Gabriel Calleja, Chloe West, and James West; and his sister, Laurie Ruskin of Tucson, Arizona.
Celebration of Life for Howard will be held 3:00 PM, Monday, June 15, 2026 in the Chapel of Beth Shalom Memorial (835 Lee Road, Orlando, Florida) with Rabbi David Kay officiating. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. His wit, laughter, unwavering dedication to others, and bright spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
If you can walk with the crowd and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a man my son! - Rudyard Kipling
Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 835 Lee Road, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.
