Howard Eugene Kosel

Class of 1996

Born October 18, 1931, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Howard graduated from the University of Portland in 1954 with a degree in Business Administration and began a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force. His assignments took him throughout the United States and overseas, including service in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. He retired from active duty in 1975 with the rank of lieutenant colonel and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Howard married Patricia in June 1956 in England. They raised five children; Anne, Joyce, David, Jane and Joseph.

Following his military career, Howard entered the business world with Topco, Inc. in Skokie, Illinois. In 1981, he joined Sathers Candy Company in Round Lake, Minnesota, as CEO.

During his tenure, Howard led a period of significant expansion for Sathers, engineering the acquisition of several candy companies and manufacturing facilities. Under his leadership, the company’s sales quadrupled, helping establish Sathers as an increasingly important presence in the U.S. confectionery market.

Howard’s leadership, business acumen and contributions to the confectionery industry earned him induction into the Candy Hall of Fame in 1996. He retired in 1997 but continued to share his experience through service on various boards.

Howard passed away on September 7, 2007 at the age of 75.