Howard Hultgren

Our forever loved father, grandfather, husband, brother, and friend Howard Allan Hultgren 74, of Salt Lake City Utah passed away peacefully from a long fight with cancer and COPD. He died at the home of his daughter, Erin Hultgren-Chagnon and husband Craig Chagnon on Saturday, December 17, 2022. He was surrounded by family, friends and his wonderful care givers.

Howard was born in Los Angeles California on July 14, 1948 to Walter S. Hultgren and Sylvia McIntosh-Hultgren. Howard and his brother Glen Hultgren, (of Salt Lake City, Utah) grew up in Tulsa Oklahoma before moving to Bountiful Utah. Howard attended Bountiful High school and graduated in class of 1966. Howard described numerous stories about his childhood friends, some are hilarious, and some are so heartfelt. Howard attended Weber State University before he was hired by Union Pacific Railroad. In 1968, Howard was drafted into the army where he was assigned to Pirmasens Depot in Germany; he was then discharged in June 1970. Howard met his wife, Elaine Hultgren (of Salt Lake City,UT) in 1973 and was married in 1975. Howard and Elaine had their only child Erin Hultgren.– Chagnon in 1977.

Howard returned to Union Pacific railroad as a train dispatcher. Howard has shared numerous stories about being a train dispatcher; always saying that the job as a train dispatcher changed his life forever. Howard spent some time working at the Salt Lake Community College in TV production. Later, Howard and Elaine moved to Mesa Arizona where he joined the staff as a Ranger for the Phoenix Botanical gardens. In 2015 Howard and Elaine moved back to Utah to be with their daughter, Erin and husband Craig and their two grand children Ryan (11) and Cara (8) of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Howard made many friends, and often he called them “family”. Maybe it was his magnetic personality or his endless jokes he had ready to share for every scenario. He shared story after story about his life, and everything he shared, there was always more added to the punch line. Many of his friends, neighbors, caregivers and family have expressed how meaningful Howard was to them. Howard had a way to love people and help people in extraordinary ways. His soul radiated compassion to everyone who met him. Often he would advise that you can pretty much do anything that you put your mind to. Or something as simple as ‘follow your own bliss’.

We would like to take the time to acknowledge Howard‘s family of friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and his large care team; Huntsman, Cancer Hospital, Intermountain, Internal medicine, Intermountain, Pulmonary group and Inspiration, Hospice care. Howard had a team who took the time to know him as a person, and not as a patient. Howard would like donations made to Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Utah Food Bank, or Saint Judes children’s hospital. A memorial service and celebration of life will occur in the spring of 2023. Dates and info will be announced later. Condolences can be shared on daughter, Erin‘s Facebook page or Instagram page.