Howard Goldfeder

1926 - 2022

Howard A. Goldfeder, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Friday, November 4th, at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Beloved husband of his late wife of 47 years, Helen Wiggs Goldfeder, and loving wife of 21 years, Carole Freeman Goldfeder; father to daughters Carole Adashek (Kenneth) and Joan Goldfeder; and grandfather to Michael Adashek and Eli Goldfeder. He will be missed by his loving step-children Mark Richman (Sally), Michelle Kveen (Michael), Dana Green and David Rosenstock (Rachel), and their many children, his cherished step-grands. Howard was born in New York City, eldest son of Betty and Herman Goldfeder, and brother of the late Robert Goldfeder. He served in the U.S. Navy in WWII and graduated with a B.A., magna cum laude, from Tufts University. Howard rose from an Executive trainee at Bloomingdale's to being the Chairman of the Board, Director and CEO of Federated Department Stores from 1981 to 1988. During his long and successful retailing career, he served as Chairman and CEO of the May Company division in Los Angeles; CEO of Federated's Los Angeles division, Bullocks; and Vice Chairman of Federated. Howard was a member of the Business Council, and a former Director of J.P. Morgan and Company, Inc., Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, Champion International and the Price Company. He was also the former Vice Chairman, Member of the Executive Committee and Director of the National Retail Merchants Association. He was former Director of the American Retail Federation, and former Member of the Business Roundtable Policy Advisor Committee, the Retail Trade Action Coalition, and the Cincinnati Business Committee. After retiring to California, Howard lived a full and vibrant life, serving as a Director of the University of California San Diego Cancer Care Foundation, a Member of the Board of Governors of the San Diego Foundation, a Trustee of the Burnham Institute, and a Director of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association. Howard's humor, intelligence, energy, and tremendous work ethic propelled him through his long and successful life. He loved golf, playing bridge and traveling, and took a keen interest in political and world events. He was loved and admired by his family and friends, and will be missed by all. Donations in his honor may be made to Jewish Family Services or Doctors Without Borders/MSF.