Richard "Brian" How, M.S. '49, Ph.D. '50, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at Cornell, died June 26 at his home in Ithaca. He was 93.

Born in Montreal, Canada, July 15, 1918, he graduated from McGill University in 1939, served in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War II and earned his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Cornell in 1950.

After teaching at the University of Saskatchewan and University of Guelph, Ontario, How joined Cornell's Department of Agricultural Economics in 1956 and later became professor and in 1988, upon his retirement, emeritus professor. He specialized in the economics of fruit and vegetable marketing. He was using computational methods in the analysis of economic data as early as the 1950s.

He authored a textbook that was widely used in the field and was an early promoter of direct marketing of New York state produce. He carried out the first studies of the economic aspects of farm wineries in the state.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Canadian Army Armored Corps and was trained as a tank driver. In 1944, he landed at Juno Beach on D-Day and was in northern Germany heading toward Hamburg when the war ended. Promoted to captain, he served in England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands with the Brigade HQ Intelligence division. In 1945, he led truck convoys that delivered supplies to many areas of Europe.

How is survived by his wife, Janet How, M.S. '48; two children; and numerous family members.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 14, at 2 p.m. at The First Congregational Church, Ithaca, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospicare, The First Congregational Church or Loaves and Fishes. Bangs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.