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HOWARD ROSENGARTEN Obituary

ROSENGARTEN--Howard, passed away on May 2nd, 2021 at the age of 78 years old. Howard was a great man, a wonderful father, and a loving husband. Howard worked as an immigration attorney for 50 years, affecting the lives of tens of thousands of immigrants through his work. Howard is survived by his wife, Sandra, and his sons Fred and Greg. We love him and will miss him dearly.

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Published by New York Times on May 4, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for HOWARD ROSENGARTEN

15 Entries

Jonathan Anderson

December 22, 2025

I was deeply saddened-and honestly shocked-to learn of Howard Rosengarten´s passing.

It still feels unfair. Seventy-eight feels far too young for someone of his intellect, generosity, and clarity of mind. I truly believed he would live well into old age, continuing to think, teach, and quietly shape the world around him. Learning only now that he has been gone these past years has been jarring, and I am still processing it.

I met Howard some 26 years ago while I was attending Audrey Cohen College-now Metropolitan College of New York-where I was completing my undergraduate degree in business. At the time, my primary goal was to become a U.S. citizen, and I remember thinking that the best way to understand immigration-and perhaps even save on attorney´s fees-was to work for and learn directly from an immigration attorney. What I didn´t anticipate was how formative that decision would become.

Howard was my very first attorney employer in New York City. Although our time working together was relatively brief, the impression he left on me has lasted decades. It´s remarkable how some people can pass through your life for only a short time, yet leave an imprint that never fades.

I will never forget the day Howard had me sit down in his office and handed me an amicus brief to work on. He took a few minutes to explain that I should read it in confidence-and that it was a winning brief. That moment of trust, and the seriousness with which he treated me as a young student, changed how I saw myself. I went straight back to school afterward, inspired and grounded in a way I hadn´t been before.

He approached mentorship the same way he approached his practice: with high standards and real responsibility. Whether it was an L-1, an H-1, or an EB-5 matter, I would study each case carefully, building the work around the client´s full life history. When I brought the final product into his office, Howard would often look at it for only a few seconds, sign it, hand it back, and simply say, "Good job." That level of trust taught me more about professional excellence than any formal training ever could.

Howard worked hard, and he expected others to do the same. The days were long, and the pace demanding. But for me, every minute was a gift. I welcomed the workload because it meant learning. If he stayed until seven or eight in the evening, I stayed too-not out of obligation, but because I wanted to absorb as much as I could from someone operating at that level.

One of the most enduring lessons Howard gave me was that law is a form of art. Beyond having a strong case, the true craft lies in the details-in how every word is chosen, how sentences are structured, and how meaning is deliberately shaped and conveyed. He taught me that clarity is power, and that disciplined writing is disciplined thinking.

On another occasion, Howard told me that I had a phenomenal litigation mind, and even went so far as to say that I was his smartest employee. Coming from someone of his stature, that belief meant more to me than he likely ever realized. For some reason, I believed him-and that belief stayed with me. He made me see myself differently and gave me the confidence to imagine a future in law, or at the very least a life devoted to advancing justice through careful, critical thinking.

I am now 50 years old, and even after all these years, his influence remains vivid. Howard was thoughtful, principled, demanding in the best sense, and quietly generous with his belief in others.

I feel deeply grateful to have known him, even briefly. His legacy lives on not only through the countless lives he helped through his work, but through the standards, confidence, and intellectual discipline he gave to those he mentored.

May his memory continue to be a blessing to his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to cross his path.

Lionelle Hamanaka

April 28, 2025

Howard Rosengarten was a great man and always tried to help others from the earliest days of his career.

John Solorzano

August 31, 2023

I interned for Mr Rosengarten when I was in highschool. Thank you for the opportunity and see you in the great beyond Howard.

Lionelle Hamanaka

August 3, 2023

I used to work for Howard Rosengarten as a paralegal. He was very fair with a good sense of humor and he believed in democracy and in giving immigrants the chance to become part of our country. He always gave his workers opportunities no matter their backgrounds and was able to see things from other people´s point of view and what their needs were. He was sensitive to the needs of young people in his community and valued people and their aspirations.

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Caryn Rosen

February 14, 2023

Howard Rosengarten my loving brother is loved forever and was a living treasure that will be remembered for all the great memories he gave our family. A good loving brother lives on forever. Love your sister, Caryn Rosen

Brian Warner

August 24, 2022

I worked with Howard Rosengarten on real estate and EB-5 projects from 2010 to 2013. I just found out he passed last May. He was a good man! RIP Howard

Mona Hamlin

May 14, 2021

Howard was my uncle. He was a good man. He was the one, like my brother Ian said, we all turned to when we had important questions, and he was the one we told others to call when they too had important questions only he could answer. He could always be counted on. He was a wonderful brother to my mother. She talked about him always, and his name probably came up at least once a week in our family. Losing him was a shock and still is, as his parents lived until their late 90's. It seems unfair. I believe he's with them now and that's comforting. Sending prayers to his wonderful wife Sandra, my aunt and his sons Fred and Greg. All the grieving hearts reflect the true measure of a Man, and there are a lot of grieving hearts. You'll be deeply missed Uncle Howie.

Caryn Rosen

May 13, 2021

Howard Rosengarten was my younger brother and he had a heart of gold. There isn't anything he wouldn't do to help me if I needed help. He was very caring and always had answers to help me when I was faced with difficult problems. On my birthday, he purchased me an Iphone and made me get rid of my flip phone. He knew it would be a lifeline for me. He was a loving, caring brother and I will carry him forever in my heart. He will never be forgotten. Miss him forever. Caryn Rosen

Betty and Izzy Rainer

May 13, 2021

We want to send our deepest condolences to the whole family during this most difficult time. Howard was an extraordinary gentleman and it was our pleasure to call him friend and will miss him dearly.
With love,
Betty and Izzy Rainer

Kathleen Wikowitz

May 13, 2021

I am sending Love and prayers for all Howard's family.
I am so sorry for your loss.
May you be filled with wonderful memories.
Kathy Wikowitz

Paula Angelone

May 10, 2021

I love my brother-in-law Howard.
He was a constant in my life for more than 30 years, as long as I have known my husband, his brother Jerry.
Behind that sly smile was a wicked sense of humor.
I loved his idiosyncrasies, I loved how “thrifty” he was.
I loved how he had an novel idea for everything. His imagination and ingenuity was a marvel- a force of nature.
But most of all I loved the way he loved his brother Jerry.
They were like magnets, inseparable.
They were the dynamic duo and I was the third musketeer.
I loved their perfect yin and yang and what a joy it was for me to share in the boundless love that they had for one another.
I will miss him with all my heart.
But I also know that when you love someone you never really lose them. So I take some solace in knowing that he will be with me forever.
God bless you, Howie
Love, Paula

Thomas and Claudia Falz

Planted Trees

Adela Rosengarten

May 4, 2021

Howard was a kind person and very devoted to his family. I remember his laugh and generous spirit. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. May he rest in peace.

Adela Rosengarten

May 4, 2021

Howard was a kind person and very devoted to his family. I remember his laugh and generous spirit. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him. May he test in peace.