Spring Lake post office to be named for town historian

SPRING LAKE — Spring Lake’s post office will be renamed to honor Howard Pate Jr., the longtime postmaster and town historian.

The post office on Main Street will be renamed the Howard B. Pate Jr. Post Office, according to a bill to be signed by President Donald Trump. Pate, who served as postmaster for more than 30 years, died in late 2016 at the age of 90.

“It means a great deal,” said Pate’s son, Howard Pate III. “I believe it’s something he would be honored by.”

Pate grew up in Spring Lake while his father was stationed at Fort Bragg.

He joined the Army in 1944 and served with the 506th regiment of the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. He was a veteran of World War II.

In 1951, Pate was named Spring Lake’s postmaster. He worked there 31 years.

The younger Pate said choosing to rename the post office for his father is a fitting tribute.

“I don’t think that place ever shut down because of snow or hurricanes,” he said. “That was before the internet, when mail was a lot more important than it is today. All the mail got delivered under his watch.”

In 1986, Howard Pate Jr. and another son spent 177 days hiking the Appalachian Trail. He took a few breaks – including one to attend a postmaster convention.

Pate was named the town’s historian in 1994. He was known to recall details about the town’s past, including memories of how past mayors contributed to the town’s progress.

“His pride and joy was this town,” Howard Pate III said. “He was proud of the town’s support of all the military. That would be one thing he would point out. And the people who lived here and represented the town. That’s what he would be proud of.”

Congressman Richard Hudson introduced a bill that proposed the name change in July.

“I’m pleased my bill to honor Mr. Pate’s life and service to Spring Lake passed Congress, and I look forward to seeing President Trump sign it into law soon,” Hudson said. “As any Spring Lake resident will tell you, Mr. Pate was a pillar of the community and a dear friend. It’s a privilege to work with the town of Spring Lake to rename the post office after such a great man.”