Howard Gerhart Graeffe Howard Gerhart Graeffe, 59, died Feb. 8, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Howard was pivotal in the formation and growth of several businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley and Poconos. After founding Graeffe and Associates with his brother, they opened multiple Jiffy Lube locations. Howard joined the National Institute for Environmental Renewal as the CEO before becoming the startup executive for Cambist Inc. Howards love of business and his adventurous attitude did not stop with the foundation of just a few companies, but continued when he became COO of Markward Group which led to the foundation of ValleyWide Property Management. Under Howards Leadership ValleyWide Property Management which started out with only a management aspect has expanded three fold to include Real Estate and Leasing as well as Construction Maintenance and Services. Howard was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a board member of the Allentown Chamber of Commerce and the Wildlands Conservancy. He was also a committee member of the Urban Land Institute, and alternate federal commissioner for the Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin. He was a past member of the Distance Learning Task Force Senate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnerships, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Southern Lehigh School District. He was a graduate of Wagner College, and received his MBA in finance from Temple University. Howards integrity and generosity not only lead to the growth of several companies but carried over to the way his children and family acted in each endeavor and situation they faced. Howard was very committed to his family and always made time to attend wrestling matches, softball games and theater performances. If he wasnt watching his children reach their goals he was monumental in making sure they had enough paper and wrote larger to achieve academic excellence. He was the son of Gloria Peter Pool and the late Jack Graeffe. Howard is survived by his wife, Lea Ann; his children, Bronwyn, John and his wife Jennifer, Alison and Stephen; and his siblings, Peter and his wife Estella, Jane and her husband Tony, and Kristin. A celebration of his life will be held at St. Johns United Church of Christ in Emmaus at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. The family will receive friends there beginning at 9 a.m. A burial at Heidelberg United Church of Christ in Slatington will follow. Contributions may be made to Heidelberg United Church of Christ and St. Johns United Church of Christ. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.schantzfh.com