Notre Dame’s Krause Is Dead at 79 : College: The former athletic director is remembered for his foresight and judgment.

Edward (Moose) Krause, former Notre Dame athletic director, was found dead Friday morning in his South Bend home, apparently having died in his sleep. He was 79.

Krause was remembered Friday as a man with great foresight who helped bring success to Fighting Irish teams for three decades until his retirement in 1981.

“I think the true legend of Notre Dame has just died,” said Gerry Faust, a longtime friend and Notre Dame football coach from 1981-85. “They talk about Gipper, Rockne, the Four Horsemen, but I think he was the true legend. He cared for people, he cared for the university, and always treated me first class.

“There is not a person who loved the university more,” Faust said. “He was a best friend. It just brought tears to my eyes.”

John Heisler, sports information director, said Krause’s death shocked everyone. He did not believe Krause had any serious health problems.

“We had our athletic department Christmas party last night, and he was there,” Heisler said.

Krause’s death came the same week that former Notre Dame football coach Hugh Devore died.

“Moose’s retirement was a formality, but he continued to come in every day,” said Richard Rosenthal, the current Notre Dame athletic director who was recruited by Krause as a basketball player in the early 1950s. “Heaven knows I sought his counsel at every conceivable opportunity.

“He was a man blessed with an awful lot of talent, incredible judgment . . . with all that molded and tempered with an incredible amount of good grace.”

Born in Chicago, Krause earned three letters in football at Notre Dame as a tackle in the early 1930s, having been recruited by Knute Rockne. But his biggest heroics were accomplished on the basketball court as a center. He was voted to the National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976.

After graduating, he coached basketball and football at St. Mary’s in Minnesota, then at Holy Cross and finally six seasons as basketball coach at Notre Dame. His record with the Irish was 98-48.