About the Fund
The Ray Howland Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life, values and passions of Ray Howland, the former village manager of North Palm Beach and a dedicated advocate for bicycle safety. A sports enthusiast and community leader, Ray tragically lost his life in 1998 during the Mount Dora Bicycle Festival while doing what he loved most — cycling.
“At 69, Ray had his priorities in order: an unshakable faith, love for his family and an interest in his community,” wrote Candy Hatcher, an editorial writer for The Palm Beach Post, in a tribute following his passing. Known for his keen mind and tireless community involvement, Ray also served as chairman of the Seacoast Utility Authority and was an active member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee of Palm Beach County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, lobbying for safer bike lanes throughout the area.
“Saving lives is everyone’s business,” was an adage Ray often quoted, and it continues to guide the spirit of this scholarship. Grants are awarded to graduating seniors from Palm Beach County high schools who demonstrate an understanding of bicycle safety by participating in a West Palm Beach Bicycle Club-sponsored ride of at least ten miles and submitting either an essay or a poster on bicycle safety. Entries are judged on sincere purpose and effective messaging.
Following his untimely death, Ray’s widow, Edie, together with family members, friends and fellow cyclists, established the scholarship to not only memorialize Ray’s life but also to teach future generations the importance of bicycle safety. “He didn’t talk a lot,” said Bill Phillips, a senior planner for the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization. “But when he said something, you listened because he was right.”
Ray’s devotion to his community was, as Father William O’Shea noted at his funeral, “an overflow of his faith.” A quiet but determined leader, Ray Howland’s legacy continues to inspire young people to value safety, community service and physical fitness.
"His love for community was an overflow of his faith," recalled Father William O'Shea at Ray's funeral service.
