Irving Kronenberg

Irving Kronenberg died on Saturday, August 18, 2018, with his wife Norma by his side. A 32-year resident of Stockbridge, MA, Irving was born in The Bronx, NY, and attended New York University, where he received both his Bachelors of Science and Masters in Public Administration. Early in his career, he was a physical therapist who worked with the last 100 iron lung polio patients in NYC. After an academic career as the Associate Dean of Allied Health Professions at SUNY Downstate School of Medicine, he transitioned to health care administration and was CEO of not-for-profit long term care facilities that provided SNF, Rehab, nursing home, hospice and respite care (Jewish Home for the Aged, Providence, RI, and Hebrew Home and Hospital, West Hartford, CT). He was a pioneer in elder and hospice services; he created adult day care programs and co-founded the Hospice of Rhode Island in the '70's. He had a distinguished career in health facility planning, and education and advocacy for the physically handicapped, disenfranchised and the elderly. He held faculty appointments at the College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate, Brown University School of Medicine, and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Irving lived a beautiful life. He met his Norma when he was 19, and together they had a loving 62-year marriage filled with laughter, travel, tennis, music, food, the NY Yankees, and enjoyment of the Berkshires. He was consumed with pride in his children and grandchildren: Dr. Frannie Kronenberg (Dr. Edward Peters, Carlie and Sarah Peters), Robert Kronenberg (Robbie Bogard and Adam Kronenberg), and David Kronenberg, Esq. (Jaci Flug, Esq., Abby and Rachel Kronenberg). He was a voracious reader, a self-taught musician who could pick up any instrument and play a tune, and in his later years, a prolific writer. His influence, presence and love will be missed. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to Hope Hospice of RI (https://www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/donate-in-rhode-island/), to the Southern Poverty Law Center (https://donate.splcenter.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=1367), or to other similar organizations that promote civil rights, social justice and freedom of choice-those values and ideals he upheld. Family and friends celebrated his life at a graveside service on 8/21/18, Stockbridge Cemetary.