Richard Louis Fogel, 77, died following heart surgery on Jan. 24 in Bethesda, Maryland.
He was born on Sept. 14, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of the late Harold and Clara (Kaplan) Fogel and the sister of the late Adrian A. Fogel (Jerry Killian).
Following graduate school, he moved to Maryland in 1969 and joined the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO), where he became Assistant Comptroller General under Charles A. Bowsher. He served at the GAO for 28 years directing management reviews of cabinet level departments and recommending strategic and tactical improvements. He also was responsible for audits and evaluations of government financial regulatory operations, tax administration, and law enforcement operations. Bowsher said he was “one of the great leaders at GAO during the 15 years of my tenure as Comptroller General. I, the GAO, and the country owe him a big debt.”
Most recently (2013 to 2022) he was a founder and CEO of SonoStik, creators of innovative vascular access technologies and accessories including the Guide Wire Introducer, a medical device which helps ensure successful IV placement.
Joining Lockheed Martin in 1997, he was responsible for homeland security solutions provided to Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, and the National Security Agency.
From 2011 to 2013 he was Associate Partner at IBM on market development efforts in the Homeland Security area.
A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, he was a recipient of the Arthur S. Flemming Award for outstanding public service. A stalwart supporter of public education, he attended Kansas City’s Southwest High School, where he developed lifelong friendships and a drive for excellence. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; a Master of Arts in comparative politics from the University of Sussex in Brighton, United Kingdom; and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
His lengthy career in public service was inspired by his admiration for John F. Kennedy. This convinced him to dedicate himself to government service at the non-partisan GAO. His life was guided by a commitment to democratic values and social justice. He was known and respected for his professional accomplishments, his compassionate nature, and his easy manner.
Friends, family, and associates enjoyed his quick wit, sense of humor and engaging conversations about topics ranging from politics to history to his beloved Washington football, hockey, and baseball teams.
He was committed to his family and jumped at opportunities to be with his three grandsons and cheer for their sports teams. Other passions included tennis, reading detective fiction and The Washington Post, enjoying time at his homes in Maryland and Hawaii, and being with his many friends from college, Kansas City, and the community.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend, he was also active in the community serving on the Board of the Bethesda Jewish Congregation. He was president of Brookshire HOA in North Potomac, Maryland, and treasurer of Kahala HOA at Poipu Kai, Hawaii.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Carol J. Kromminga (of North Potomac) and her son Warren Sloane Kromminga (of California); his children Sarah J. Fogel and son Noah (7); David M. Fogel and Jessica M. Fogel and their sons Aden (10) and Leon (7), of Silver Spring, Maryland; Sarah and David’s mother, Bonnie Unwin Fogel of Bethesda; and his nephew Matthew M. Killian of Washington, D.C.
Services will be conducted by Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer at the Bethesda Jewish Congregation on Thursday, Feb. 10. Due to COVID, in-person seating will be limited. If you wish to attend remotely, please contact the family for Zoom information.
Funeral arrangements are by Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance and donations can be made to The Bethesda Jewish Congregation.
He will be deeply missed. May his memory be a blessing.
