Edwin Cohen passed away on Friday, November 10 after a several-month battle with multiple illnesses. He touched many lives through teaching both in and out of the classroom. Ed was an inspirational role model for his two children and five grandchildren.
Born in Sunbury, PA, Ed moved to Atlantic City, NJ with his parents and then to Los Angeles when he was 17. He earned his AA from El Camino College, his BA and MA from CSU Long Beach, and then his PhD from the University of Southern California in Speech Communication. In between his AA and BA, Ed proudly served in the United States Army and traveled abroad, entertaining with the USO show. He taught in high schools and colleges for forty-two years before he and his wife, Shirley, retired to the adult community of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek. He wrote and published six non-fiction, academic books, one book of poetry, two full length plays, and seven articles in academic journals. During the last part of his career, Ed lectured on cruise ships, enabling he and Shirley to visit many exciting places around the world.
Ed is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Shirley; two children, Lisa Cohen Bennett of Richmond, CA and David Cohen (Laureen) of Oakland, CA, and five grandchildren, Gabrielle Cohen, Jacob Cohen, Noah Bennett, Alexandra Bennett, and Martin Cohen.
The family suggests that donations in Ed's memory be made either to St. Judes, Mazon, the Weizmann Institute of Science (through the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science), or a charity of your choice.
The funeral was held on November 14 at Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette, CA. Family is observing Shiva, which will conclude with the last two minyanim on Saturday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 4:00-7:00 p.m.