born on leap day in new york city, his parents were david nemerov and gertrude. the nemerovs were a russian jewish couple who lived in new york city and owned russeks, a fifth avenue department store. his younger sisters were the photographer diane arbus and sculptor/painter renee nemerov sparkia brown. the elder nemerov's talents and interests extended to art connoisseurship, painting, philanthropy, and photography — talents and interests undoubtedly influential upon his son. young howard was raised in a sophisticated new york city environment where he attended the society for ethical culture's fieldston school. graduated in 1937 as an outstanding student and second string team football fullback, he commenced studies at harvard university where, in 1940, he was bowdoin essayist and he received bachelor's degree at this university. throughout world war ii, he served as a pilot, first in the royal canadian air force and later the u. s. army air forces. he married in 1944, and after the war, having earned the rank of first lieutenant, returned to new york with his wife to complete his first book.