Legacy Stories
Mark Loys von Kreuter
Mark Loys von Kreuter took his life on September 7, 2020 at the age of 58. Mark was later found to have Stage 2 (of 4) CTE by researchers at the VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank. In life, Mark was a beloved son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, godfather, and friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him. Mark grew up in Darien, CT one of four children born to Alan and Barbara von Kreuter. He was a multi-sport athlete and naturally gifted no matter the challenge. Football, baseball, hockey, skiing, and skateboarding were his favorites and when he entered high school, he dedicated himself to football. After football, he dedicated himself to golf and he was always working to improve his game but more importantly to spend time with his friends on the course.
Mark graduated from Darien High School in 1980 where he and his team were undefeated and won the FCIAC Connecticut State Football Championship. Mark then attended Choate Rosemary Hall as a post-graduate where he and his team also went undefeated winning the New England Prep School Football Championship. Mark was heavily recruited by numerous Ivy League colleges and attended Princeton University, graduating in 1985 where he majored in history, was a member of the University Cottage Club and was an outstanding defensive end for the Princeton Tigers earning three varsity letters during the ’82-’84 Tiger campaigns. Number 98 ruined many a fall Saturday afternoon for the visiting team at Palmer Stadium and was named Defensive Player of the Game against Bucknell. A true “son of Princeton,” Mark was happiest when going back to Old Nassau with friends and classmates, especially at football games and reunions.
Mark had a very successful career as an institutional equity salesman starting his career in New York at Smith Barney. During that time received his MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University, attending classes at night and on weekends. Recently Mark was a partner at Capture Capital LLC where he worked raising institutional capital for a variety of hedge funds and private equity funds. He was hard working and made many friends along his career path. He was a member of the Racquet & Tennis Club on Park Avenue in New York City, the Noroton Yacht Club and Wee Burn Country Club in Darien.
Large in stature, but even larger in persona and generosity, Mark traveled the world to celebrate his many friends; a wedding in Rome, a U-2 concert in Dublin, several visits to Singapore to be with his godson who was fighting a rare disease resulting from treatment which cured his cancer, ski trips to Austria, golf in the British Isles, Italy and France, or a safari in Kenya. The underlying thing that made Mark so special is that these things were all done with and for his friends and family. He loved being there for people, especially his mother, his siblings and his ten nieces and nephews who adored him.
The last thing Mark did before he died was to write a letter to his mother, telling her how much he loved her and to have his brain donated for CTE research. We are honored to have Mark’s memory live on with the Concussion Legacy Foundation. While he shared his thoughts and concerns for CTE with his teammates, he kept these concerns to himself when it came to family and other friends, choosing to not be a burden. The six months of the pandemic leading up to his death took a toll on Mark. He left New York City for Connecticut to make sure that both he and his widowed mother were safe from COVID19. Family was always Mark’s top priority, and he would be very happy today in the knowledge that he succeeded in this regard as his mother is fully vaccinated. Mark was aptly called a “perfectionist in an imperfect world” but not one of his family members or his friends had any indication that Mark was suffering so much to take his life.
The outpouring of sympathy and love for Mark was and continues to be the measure of the man he was and will always be, bigger than life. Anyone who knew him is better for having known Mark and he will live in our memories forever.
Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you are concerned that someone in your life may be suicidal, the five #BeThe1To steps are simple actions anyone can take to help someone in crisis. If you are struggling to cope and would like some emotional support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to connect with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available to everyone in the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call.
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