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Howard J. “Cookie” Krongard passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023, in his home in Parkland, Florida at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.

 

Howard lived an exceptionally accomplished life, excelling in multiple disciplines and achieving the highest honors in almost every facet. Born to a tailor and a homemaker in Baltimore MD, Howard attended Princeton University, where as goalie he led his lacrosse team to three successive Ivy League championships (1959 to 1961) and in his senior year was awarded first-team All-American status, designating him the best college Goalie in the country.  

 

Lacrosse was a key component of his life - he played for countless club lacrosse teams, including the  New York Lacrosse Club, where he became a two-time National Club Player of the Year. Howard worked tirelessly along the way to advance the game he loved, attending summer camps, coaching kids, and working with lacrosse charities including the Tewarton Foundation. In 1986 Howard was inducted into the Lacrosse Hall of Fame, arguably the highest honor for any lacrosse player. Shocking many, but none who really knew him, he continued to play lacrosse competitively into his 80s. 

 

After Princeton, Howard attended Harvard Law School where he graduated with honors, won the Ames Briefwriting Prize, and was awarded a Knox Fellowship to attend Cambridge University for post-graduate work. He began his legal career at Cravath, Swaine, and Moore, clerked for NY State of Appeals Judge Kenneth Keating (who later became a U.S. Senator), and then served in the legal departments of accounting firms Peat, Marwick & Mitchell, and Deloitte & Touche, where he was General Counsel.

 

Following a highly successful career, Howard decided to give back to his country. In 2005 Howard was nominated by President George W Bush to become Inspector General of the U.S. State Department, where he served under Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. His role there included overseeing all legal and financial matters pertaining to US embassies and interests all over the world. Howard loved his country and was an avid supporter of the people who protect it.

 

Howard is survived by his son, Ken, and his daughter Mara, his brother Alvin “Buzzy” Krongard, and four grandchildren. He will be remembered as a fierce competitor with an iron will and a man with a generous spirit. 

 

A memorial service will be held at Princeton University on September 30th, following the Cookie Krongard Alumni Lacrosse Game. Click here for further details.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Operations Fund www.specialoperationsfund.org