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Itzhak Kronzon Obituary
Itzhak was born on September 14, 1939 in Haifa to Zalman and Liza (Meisel) Kronzon. He received his medical degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, served as a Captain in the Israeli Defense Forces, and then moved to New York to pursue a fellowship in Cardiology at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine.
Itzhak was passionate about his chosen profession. Following his fellowship, and after a brief return to the battlefield for the Yom Kippur war, he went on to practice medicine for over 50 years. He published hundreds of research articles, wrote and edited a number of textbooks, achieved the title of Professor of Medicine (among many others), and became an internationally sought-after lecturer, researcher, mentor, and teacher. He was loved and admired by his many patients, colleagues, and students. Along with numerous awards and recognitions, he was recently awarded the American Heart Association's lifetime achievement award.
A renowned author and editor in his field of expertise, he also wrote dozens of humorous and touching autobiographical stories of his childhood and life's adventures. Over the years, these short stories have been published in Israeli papers and American journals, compiled into several books, and are often read in Hebrew literature courses at colleges and universities around the world.
He was the consummate storyteller and could light up any room with his vivid tales. He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, and often naughty smile. Beneath his sometimes tough exterior lay a kind and compassionate spirit with a gentle and sensitive soul. He will be sorely missed.
Besides Ziva, his wife of over 60 years, Itzhak is survived by his three children, Iris, Rafi, and Shira, grandchildren Ella, Adam, Lucy and Eli, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, colleagues and students too numerous to list.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Meals on Wheels at https://mealsonwheels.org/donate/
Memories and Condolences
for Itzhak Kronzon
24 Entries
Christina
February 19, 2023
Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge. It was a privilege to attend your echo lectures in Austria.
Sinai Family
February 14, 2023
Thanks to Dr. Itzhak Kronson our mother lives to watch her grandchildren grow. He was a good man, a great doctor, and a mensch. May his memory be for a blessing to all who knew him.
Sinai Family -
Ahmed Fraig
October 31, 2022
Very Sorry to hear about that, very Sorry for this
I listen to him on ASE lectures and i liked his speech very much and every one there were happy with his word and how easy he's explaining complex rules.
The real loss of science is to lose a Scientist
Yvette
June 6, 2022
Dear Rafi,
After attempts to convey handwritten communication with Professor Kronzon, to his former place of residence (Kips Bay) it is with deep regret that I finally found a doorman who was so gracious to allow me to use ther telephone(intercom) top speak with whomever must have recognized my name.
A single lecture would cover the entire history of an ultrasound modality, never mind the history of medicine.
No wonder the QCR encoded presentation is already in it's second version, even the institue realized the presen tation was too large for their archives.
michael rahav
July 3, 2021
Very dear Ziva and Koko's family: Only now have I learned of the passing of Koko - a man I so much admired and respected. Took me a while to recognize that the man sitting quietly at the corner in various social events, is a genius, fascinating, hilariously funny, with encyclopedic knowledge and famously known cardiologist. But then, in complete metamorphosis, Koko would stand up and sing, in unison, the song "Sharm El Sheikh" in a volume that far exceeded any professional opera singers, and would feel like the ceiling may be getting cracked. By then I became totally fascinated by Koko and his brilliance. I am so sorry to find out that this incredible person has left us, and left a big void that no other person on earth could fill. My condolences to you, your children and your grandchildren. I will always remember Koko with his wit, brilliance and the loudest singing a human being could produce. May the memory of Koko be a blessing. Mickey Rahav
Micky Sinai
June 8, 2021
First time that I met Dr. Kronzon was 1979 at NYU HOSPITAL I was 26 years young working at the Israeli consulate in New York .
Dr Kronzon is my lifesaver I thought he’s going to live forever and take care of me,.. any test procedure or changing of medication I had to consult with him. I can’t except it, a special Genius Dr like Itzhak Kronzon should stay with us for ever, May you Rest In Peace My Doctor I will always Remember you with your great sense of humor, Happy that you had a chance to read my book that I right about you.I will miss and Love you forever Micky Sinai
Nili Gold
May 31, 2021
. . ! . .
Avi Merav (Markovitch)
May 31, 2021
Itzhak and I met in February 1966 as cadets in the IDF school of military doctors. In the years that followed our paths crossed again when we trained and worked, he as a cardiologist and I as a cardiac surgeon. We had many stories to share but no one came close to Koko's talent as a raconteur. He will be missed.
Dr. Naftali Kaminski
May 28, 2021
I had the opportunity to learn and be inspired by Dr. Kronzon many years ago when I was a resident in Hadassah Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. He used to come every year, and enlightens with brilliant lectures about cardiac physiology, echocardiography and clinical management of patients with heart disease. His lectures and insights were always the highlight of the year for us. He was a gifted and inspiring teacher, and a role model to all of us!
Dr Ehud Zamir
May 27, 2021
A great teacher of cardiology, and one of the best short story writers in my opinion. He taught me when I was a medical student in Jerusalem 32 years ago, and I remember him very fondly. His short stories always make my eyes moist, with poignant nostalgia and powerful simplicity. I was very sorry to hear about his passing today, from my father who was his classmate at medical school. To Ziva and the whole family, please accept my sincere condolences.
Morrie Stampfer
May 26, 2021
Dear Ziva and family,
I was very sorry to learn that Izhak had passed away. He was a friend since your family first arrived in the US to work at Jacobi Hospital. (He was always a master teller of stories. One of his first stories was about being on call at night without access to a phone, only to a pager, while living on a very high floor of a tall building in which the elevators were not working. When paged, he descended to the lobby, called the operator from the guard's desk, and was told, "Cardiology? We were looking for Radiology.")
After he left for NYU, we would meet at Echo meetings, where he was usually on the program with an educational and entertaining lecture.
My sister-in-law had a serious mitral valve lesion, and he gave her expert and compassionate care over many years.
And I remember your visit together to our house, and the story of the trip to Nepal that almost did not happen because of some minor problem like reserve duty.
May the memories of his good works and kindness give comfort to you and your children.
Cathy Guyton
May 23, 2021
Dear Ziva, Ravi, Iris and Shira I extend my deepest sympathy for your loss. Your husband and family hired me into, at the time, the Echo Lab at NYU Medical Center in 1985. He was an extraordinary physician, teacher and story teller and I am so grateful for the time I shared with him and your family.
Ken Krauss MD
May 23, 2021
Dear Ziva, Rafi, Iris, and Shira,
Itzhak was a much valued friend, mentor, and inspiration to me as my colleague at NYU. Pamela and I remember how patient and generous he was with his time when he taught. Our favorite story was about Zivi Schwartz and her acne. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Pamela and Ken Krauss
Mika
May 22, 2021
Koko and your whole family are my family. I will miss him very much. ❤
Mik
May 22, 2021
Koko and your whole family are my family. I will miss him very much. ❤
ilene silberman
May 21, 2021
Love to you all. Your Coco will live on in all of your hearts.
Love,
Ilene Silberman and Lara Rose LoBrutto
Michele Tocci
May 21, 2021
Dear Ziva, There are no words of comfort that I can offer to you and your children and grandchildren. I can only tell you that we feel your loss and hope that memories of great times shared with Koko will help you through this sad time. Special hug to Shira. Love, Michele
MICHAEL GITLIN
May 21, 2021
Dear Ziva,
So sad to hear about Koko. He was a wonderful compassionate human being. i did not see him much lately, but his presence at Pesach and him filling the room with wit and grace and laughter will not be forgotten,
Bug hug and love,
Michael
Daniella Gitlin
May 21, 2021
Dear Ziva, Iris, Rafi, and Shira,
Thinking of you all and sending love in this difficult time. I don't remember my life without Koko at the other end of the table, leading the way. He was a rock who supported us all in ways only he knew how.
Lots of love and brachot m'kulanu.
Mark Hirsh
May 21, 2021
I saw many people teach (I am a rep for Echo machines) but no one was as thorough and knowledgeable, and as willing a teacher as Itzhak - I had the honor of knowing him for more than 20 years and the pleasure of dining with him a few times - his stories are memorable. He will be missed by more than just his family....
Tova & Michael Weiss
May 20, 2021
Dear Ziva,
We were sorry to hear that Iitzhak passed away. I have read his books and feel that I knew him through his family stories and personal anecdotes. Our deepest condolences to you and the family.
Peter Sayegh
May 20, 2021
Dr. Kronzon was a father to us all. A legend and a giant in his field. Nobody will ever replace him. He will always be remembered by me and hundreds (if not thousands) of physicians all over the world who learned from him. God rest his soul and may God be with his family during this difficult time.
Amanda Burkhoff
May 20, 2021
Dear Zeva,
Our hearts are broken. We loved Itzhak, and will miss him terribly. His memory will be a blessing. Love Mandy and Dan
Smadar Kort
May 19, 2021
Very few people can touch the lives of so many, and inspire them to become a better version of themselves. One such a special person was my beloved mentor Itzhak Kronzon. His legacy will always live in my heart, his stories will forever be remembered. Sending big supporting hugs to Ziva and the rest of the family.
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