Howard Butcher IV

Howard Butcher IV of Newtown Square, PA passed away on September 14, 2025, at the age of 88, with family at his side.

Howard was born in Bryn Mawr, PA to Howard Butcher III and Elizabeth Butcher (née Mc Bee) on November 27, 1936. He was the beloved husband of Ingrid Clemmensen Butcher with whom he celebrated nearly forty years of marriage. He is survived by his children: Dea Elizabeth Butcher, Howard Butcher (Susan), Alexandra Margaret Butcher, Katriona Louise Butcher, Robert Alexander Butcher (Wendy), Matthew Wright Butcher and six grandchildren. Howard is survived by his brothers, McBee Butcher (Anne), Jonathan Butcher (Chris) and their children, as well as countless colleagues and friends.

Prior to graduating from The Hill School, he attended The Haverford School and continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania.

Howard was active in the financial services industry for over fifty-five years with an emphasis on oil and gas and electric power generation and transmission, among others. His accomplishments and the wide respect of his peers speak volumes about his intellect, perseverance and understanding of market dynamics. His keen insights and innovative financial strategies contributed substantially to his success, as he had a penchant for evaluating opportunities that others might overlook.

Howard began his career in New York at the firm Dominick & Dominick before joining the family business Butcher & Sherrerd. He continued to be an investment advisor when the company merged and was known as Butcher & Singer, a leading investment banking and brokerage firm before it was sold in 1988 to Wheat First Securities. Butcher International Importing and Exporting followed and later he became Vice President, Director and Secretary of Butcher Energy. He was active in wind farm development, solar energy, biogas and oil and gas exploration and development. Most recently he continued as Vice President and Director of The Philadelphia Bourse, a private holding company.

Later in life, Howard’s philanthropic passions focused on education. In 1962 he was instrumental in arranging the financing for The Gladwyne Montessori School. As an active alumnus of The Haverford School Class of ’55, he set a precedent for class reunion programs and updates that richly captured life since graduation. Howard was an active member of the Saint Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia where he served as President and Trustee of the Society’s Foundation. Here he not only celebrated his proud Scottish heritage but thrived on supporting the scholarship program. The Rosenbach Museum and Library was another favorite of his as he served on the board for many years.

Howard was an avid reader with eclectic taste, especially history and thrillers. He often forwarded articles he thought would be of interest to his friends and family for further discussion. He was “Chief of the Grammar Police” but in his later years he chided others that they shouldn’t be quite so particular with his being grammatically correct. Howard was an accomplished and adventuresome home chef, particularly skilled at Hollandaise, Bearnaise and Vichyssoise, often texting Ingrid a laundry list of ingredients for her to purchase on her way home. He greeted many dinner guests with, “Did you bring me any knives to sharpen?” Howard was an avid world traveler, of course to Scotland, skied in Switzerland, beached in Antigua and summered in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Reunions at Eaton’s Ranch, Wyoming left the family with treasured memories. Ever off the beaten path, Howard trekked to Russia, Syria, the Far East, and slept in a bathtub in Suriname.

Howard was a life-long member of The Union League of Philadelphia, as well as a long-time member of The Merion Cricket Club. He served in several positions at The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square and enjoyed reading at St. Christopher’s Church, Gladwyne.

Howard’s Celebration of Life will be private.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Howard can contribute to the Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund at The Haverford School. Donations may be sent by mail to The Haverford School, c/o Mary-Helen McCulloch Lewis, 450 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford PA 19041 or online at http://www.haverford.org/givenow.