Alvin Cohen

Dr. Alvin Cohen of Waldorf, MD died on Feb. 17, 2015 at the University of MD Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, MD. He was 83 years old. Service and interment were held on February 19, 2015. Dr. Cohen was born on June 30, 1931 in Washington, DC and he was the son of the late Jacob Cohen and Sara Segal Cohen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Cohen. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Cohen; his sister, Phyllis Kirson; his daughter, Dr. Beverly Hoy and her husband, Kirk Hoy; his daughter, Hilary Cohen; and his grandchildren, Samuel and Olivia Hoy. In 1996, Dr. Alvin Cohen retired from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA after 34 years as a professor of economics dedicating endless hours both in and out of the classroom to improve the Lehigh community. Dr. Cohen earned his bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, his MBA from Columbia University and then later his PhD from University of Florida at Gainesville. Throughout Cohen’s Lehigh career, he had studied the economics of Latin American countries, such as Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina and Peru. Dr. Cohen was past President of the Middle Atlantic Council for Latin American Studies. He also was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honor Society), the Business Association of Latin America, the American Economic Association and the Latin American Studies Association. Dr. Cohen’s resume boasts many accolades, including three Fulbright scholarships and various grants from the U.S. State Department. Dr. Cohen earned his first Fulbright scholarship in 1957 to research economic growth of Chile at the Universidad Nacional de Chile in Santiago. He founded Lehigh in Guatemala and directed it for five years. This summer program gave Lehigh students the opportunity to study in a foreign country while learning about economics. He also taught classes on the economics of the Czech Republic in Prague for several summers. Dr. Cohen’s academic accomplishments have been coupled with personal triumphs, as he was a survivor of colon cancer. His courage in overcoming his illness and his work as faculty advisor for Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity and later Zeta Psi fraternity that led to the establishment of the “Good Scholar Election” at Lehigh University which over several years raised over $600,000 for the American Cancer Society. In addition, Dr. Cohen was a long-time classical musical enthusiast who donated his original 1,000 album collection to Lehigh University in 1991 and then 15 years later donated is 1,500 CD collection the College of Southern Maryland. Since his retirement from Lehigh University, Dr. Cohen kept very busy. He spent his time reading books, listening to classical music, playing bridge, and supporting the Congregation Sha’are Shalom. He also continued to answer many questions on Jeopardy and spend time with his family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregation Sha’are Shalom located at 18 Henry Ford Circle in Waldorf, MD 20602 or the American Cancer Society, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Funeral arrangements were handled by Raymond Funeral Serves PA in La Plata, MD.

Alvin Cohen

June 30, 1931 - February 17, 2015