Biosketch
Richard Howe Jr. served as the Middlesex County Register of Deeds from 1995 to 2024. Over his 29-year tenure, he led transformative efforts to modernize the Registry’s operations, including the relocation of the office to the new Lowell Justice Center and the complete digitization of records dating back to 1629—making them fully accessible online. A pioneer in adopting electronic document recording, Howe recognized the significance of digital innovation well before it became standard practice.
Howe holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Providence College, where he was a recipient of an Army ROTC Scholarship and was named a Distinguished Military Graduate. He went on to earn a master’s degree in history from Salem State University and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School.
From 1980 to 1984, Howe served in the U.S. Army as a captain in military intelligence. He completed the Tactical Intelligence Officer Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and served as an intelligence officer with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Nurnberg, Germany.
Beyond his public service, Howe is a respected voice in Lowell’s civic and cultural life. He is widely known for his deep knowledge of the city’s history and politics. In 2007, he founded richardhowe.com, a local blog dedicated to Lowell’s history, politics and creative writing. In 2015, in collaboration with UMass Lowell and the National Park Service, he helped launch Lowell Walks, an initiative that has brought hundreds of residents and visitors together to explore the city’s neighborhoods, people and heritage.
An accomplished author, Howe has written several books on Lowell’s history and continues to be a leading figure in preserving and sharing the city's story.