Richard Retires From L&B Color Printing

Richard Retires From L&B Color Printing

Contributed by Judith Barve

L&B Color Printing has been serving the Mat-Su Valley and all of Alaska for 46 years. Richard Howes has been an integral part of the business for half that time. Richard has chosen to finally retire beginning on May 17th to work on his home and other projects that he has put off until he did so.

Richard began at L&B Color Printing in 2000 after retiring from the Army in 1998 and working at a few other jobs. Richard was always being told that he was overqualified for positions he applied for. Richard had started doing graphic design while he was in the Army but never for the print industry itself. Richard found a home at L&B Color Printing because he could use what graphic design and computer knowledge that he had and knew he could learn even more from us here at L&B Color Printing. Richard designed and maintained L&B Color Printing’s first website and upgraded it through the years to what it is now.

Richard was one of the L&B Color Printing’s two graphic designers, working on customers’ business cards, rack cards, brochures, banners, and many other items that the shop provides its customers. Quite frequently, Richard was the first face customers saw when they came in to get copies, have faxes sent and place orders. Richard also functioned as L&B Color Printing’s IT guy, being able to troubleshoot/fix computer and network issues. It was joked about that at the technical support numbers he would call for certain equipment they had put a note on L&B’s account that said, “Do not bother with your flipchart, whatever you are going to suggest, he has already tried it. Just put in the service call for the technician to work on the machine.” When new computer-related equipment was brought in or older equipment was replaced or upgraded, Richard would be the first one to learn the equipment and all its flaws and flows then help teach everyone else.

From 2004 -2018, Richard also worked as an adjunct professor teaching evening classes at Matanuska-Susitna College, teaching the software he knew so well. Richard was able to go beyond the textbook and teach his students the reality of design projects as it related to the printing industry and what was needed to actually go into print.
Lately, Richard has been back to teaching. This time, the next generation for L&B Color Printing, Lavon’s grandson, James Charles, who has been running the presses for some time but now will be taking over some of Richard’s tasks.

Richard will be missed at L&B Color Printing. Richard said he will still be available to help the shop with equipment problems provided that he isn’t traveling at the time. If you want to stop by and say good-bye to Richard while you have a chance, L&B Color Printing is open 9-5:30, Monday-Friday.