Howard Moses, MD

Howard Moses was born on October 5, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Adam and Ann Moses.

He enjoyed growing up in Chicago, where his early interests included building model airplanes. His artistic talents were further developed through courses at the Art Institute of Chicago. As an adult, he also developed a love for photography.

Howard was educated at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, graduating at the age of 15. He then entered the University of Chicago as an undergraduate, where he developed a strong interest in medicine. After two years, he transferred to the University of Illinois to pursue pre-medical studies. Upon completing his pre-med coursework, he was accepted into the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

In 1954, Howard graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Medical School, earning both an M.D. and a Master’s Degree in Surgery. He completed a rotating internship at Cook County Hospital.

Howard was accepted into the prestigious Osler Residency Program at Johns Hopkins. However, in 1955 he postponed his residency due to the physician draft and chose to join the U.S. Navy. He requested an assignment to New London, Connecticut, where he attended submarine school. He later became the Instructor for the submarine escape training tank. He ultimately became Head of the School of Submarine Medicine at the Navy Base.

After his service in the Navy, he returned to Johns Hopkins where he was invited to begin his residency in the Division of Neurology. The Head of the Division was Dr. John Magladery. Dr. Magladery became a mentor, and under his guidance, Howard developed a deep expertise in the field.

In 1960, Howard married Mary J. Cowling, whom he had met on a blind date in 1958 arranged by a fellow resident. They shared 66 years of marriage and had two daughters.

Following his residency, Howard determined that research was not his primary interest and chose instead to pursue private practice. His goal was to bring “the highest academic neurology to the community.” In 1965, he opened his neurology practice in Baltimore.

Over a 45-year career, Howard treated thousands of patients and became widely respected as an exceptional clinician and diagnostician. He served as Chief of Neurology at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. He remained active at Johns Hopkins as Associate Professor of Neurology, participating in neurology clinics and teaching generations of physicians. His dedication to education had a lasting impact on many colleagues, and in 2005 he received the Johns Hopkins Professors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching. A section of Neurology Grand Rounds is named in his honor.

Howard was a member of the Cervical Spine Research Society and never missed a meeting from 1979 through 2025.

Howard enjoyed spending his weekends taking care of Sycamore Farm in Monkton, MD. It was his home for over 50 years, and where he raised his two daughters with Mary J. Howard’s passion and enthusiasm for restoring old houses, raising cattle, mowing the fields, clearing forest land, and tinkering with farm equipment equally matched his devotion to the practice of medicine.

Howard and Mary J. restored Mary J’s childhood home in Eastville, VA. Caserta, a historic property, was a labor of love for the two of them and it was where they retired in 2017.

Howard passed away on June 30, 2026, at his beloved home, Caserta, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife, Mary J.; his daughters, Rebecca Johnsen and Susan Nelson; and his four grandchildren, Madeleine Nelson, Eliot Nelson, Emma Loughlin, and Ava Loughlin. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Lyle Moses of Sarasota, Florida. He was predeceased by his sister, Betty Moses.

A private graveside service was held on July 3, 2026. A memorial service will be held on August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Eastville, Virginia. A reception will follow at the family home, Caserta, 14195 Caserta Road, Eastville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, PO Box 367, Eastville, Virginia 23347, Judicial Watch at www.judicialwatch.org, or the Johns Hopkins Department of Neurology, Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, Attn: Neurology Gift Processing, 550 North Broadway, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home of Exmore, VA.