A celebration of life for Howard E. Mossberg, 85, Lawrence will be held Monday April 23, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Smith Center at Brandon Woods. He passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Howard was born in Chicago, Ill. on September 1, 1932, the son of Everett and Elizabeth Holubovsky Mossberg. He was raised in Illinois and Florida. He graduated from Orlando High School and received his B.S. in Pharmacy and Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Florida at Gainesville. From 1958 to 1966 he served on the faculty of the School of Pharmacy at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma as an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Pharmacy. On June 1, 1966 Howard assumed the position of Dean of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas. In 1991, he accepted the positions of Vice Chancellor of Research, Graduate Studies and Public Service and Dean of the Graduate School. He helped build the Lila & Madison Self Fellowship, serving as the Director and Managing Trustee from 1997 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2012. He served on numerous boards including being past- president of Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He enjoyed reading, playing golf, and fishing the boundary waters with his buddies. He was an avid cook and enjoyed sharing his creations with his friends.
He married Virginia B Gibson on June 11, 1955 in Sarasota, Fla. She survives him along with his beloved dog, Wally. Other survivors include: his two daughters, Kathryn (William) Newton, Suzanne Mossberg; two grandchildren, Derek Mossberg, Spencer Hutchens; and two great grandchildren, Brody & Maggie Mossberg.
A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Mossberg Pharmacy Scholarship Fund or Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association and maybe sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Dareld & Martha Albright says
Our Sincere Sympathy to the Howard Mossberg Family at this time of Great Sorrow’
Arnie Repta says
Virginia and family-
I am very sorry to learn of Howard’s passing. Please accept my condolences.
Donna Slusser says
So sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. Always enjoyed working with him at the School of Pharmacy. Our sympathy is shared with your family.
Lou and Donna Slusser
Craig & Linda Wright says
Oh, Suzanne, we are so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Dads & daughters have a special bond, one that will never be broken, even when they’ve left and gone to heaven. Hold on to the many happy memories you will forever have in your heart. Please know our thoughts & prayers are with you and yours.
Jim Haack says
Kathy and Suzanne – Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Lots of good memories of him from our early days on Lawrence Ave. and good friend to my parents ever since then.
John Patton says
I send our sincerest condolences to the family. I graduated in 1967 and had the pleasure of knowing him under his tenure and as an Alumni. I admired him very much.
Abdulbaki Agbas says
My condolences to the family
Ranu and Dhananjay Pal says
Our sincere condolences to the family.
Dale Glenn says
My sincerest condolences to the Mossberg family, and to the many people Howard helped in his remarkable career.
I knew Howard as a friend, and had the wonderful opportunity to help him design projects that benefited the Pharmacy world.
He will be greatly missed.
Lee Gerhard says
Ginger ,Suzanne, Derek, I’m so sorry that Howard has passed away.
Howard Mossberg did not seek headlines or fame, but his pharmacy students and the Self Scholars will respect and remember his mentoring for generations to come. Over the more than thirty years I knew Howard as a neighbor, a colleague and a friend, we shared philosophy, stories, thoughts and recipes. As a colleague he always made rational and deliberate decisions and provided wise counsel to others. How he managed to keep his even temperament while surrounded by academic pandemonium I will never know, except that he did. I guess that’s why every time KU needed someone to come in to fix a broken office, they recalled him from retirement. He “unretired” more times than anyone I have ever known. He was a good friend. I miss him.
Gunda Georg says
Dear Ginger and the family members: I am very sorry to learn that Howard passed away. I remember him fondly for being great Dean and also the many get togethers at your home. He had a very nice sense of humor.
Judy Heller says
Howard was a treasure to his friends, family, and KU. We are all better for him having been among us: quietly and efficiently taking care of business, offering sound advice but only when solicited, providing lasting leadership and guidance, and all with that winning smile he shared so generously. I’m grateful he was my friend. Ginger, much love to you and your family.
Tamara (Beasley) Willits says
Dean Mossberg made a difference in the lives of many pharmacy students. I was blessed to have been a student during his tenure. Many fond memories, to include him patting his belly saying “bought and paid for”. Deepest sympathies to the family.
Proctor Crow says
Ginger.
My sincerest condolences on your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Proctor Crow
Alice-Ann Darrow says
Such fond memories of spending time with Howard and Ginger and the Haacks. You will be missed!
Dale and Marilyn says
Ginger and family, Sorry to hear about your loss. Howard and I had lots of good times. We played early morning racketball for years. And the four of us, with “our group”, socialized vigorously–golf, dinners, trips to ball games, on and on. Howard was a leader, an innovator, and a good friend. We sed you and the girls our best wishes.
Ron Ragan says
Ginger,
Becky and I are sorry to hear of Howard’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family. He was a true gentleman and leader.
Janet Campbell says
I reported to Dr. Mossberg for several years. He was such a gentleman and at the same time expected you give your all to the University.