Zanesville High School Alumni
Zanesville, Ohio (OH)
Bernard David Cohen Obituary (1934 - 2017)
Born Jul 10, 1934, Bernard David Cohen attended Zanesville High School in Zanesville, OH. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Bernard David Cohen.
| Graduation Year | Class of 1951 |
| Date of Birth | Jul 10, 1934 |
| Date of Passing | May 09, 2017 |
| About | Bernard David Cohen, DDS was born in Brooklyn, N. Y. on July 10, 1934 and passed away peacefully on May 9, 2017 after a long illness. His wife Barbara was at his side. Following the family’s move to Zanesville when he was four and the loss of his father when he was 10, the family lived in poverty. Because of his family’s financial setback, he was highly motivated to succeed. He devoted himself to hard work, ambitious plans for the future, and enthusiastic commitment to his education, his career, his many deep and long-lasting friendships, and, most of all, to his young family and loving wife. Every aspect of his life revolved around giving of himself to help others. The many friendships he maintained from his years at Lash High School in Zanesville were reinforced during reunions of The Class of ’51. They recalled his days as editor of the school newspaper, member of the marching band, and member of the National Honor Society. A scholarship from the John McIntire Educational Fund allowed him to attend undergraduate school at The Ohio State University where he excelled academically and was admitted to the OSU School of Dentistry. After graduating in 1957, he married the love of his life, Barbara Volin and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Within one year he was promoted to Captain and became the commander of the U.S. Air Force Dental Facility, Strategic Air Command Headquarters, High Wycombe, England. The three year assignment in England enabled the young couple to travel extensively throughout Western Europe before returning to civilian life in 1960, settling in Cleveland to be near Barbara’s parents, Dorathy and Newton Volin. During the 22 years spent growing his dental practice, his family was also growing. Barbara retired from teaching to raise their 2 adopted children named in honor of Bernie’s father and mother, Benjamin and Rebecca. The family joined The Temple-Tifereth Israel where Bernie became an active member in the Temple Men’s Club. As much as he loved his patients in private practice and his patients loved him, Parkinson’s disease began to affect his ability to practice. Thankfully for all of the faculty and students who came to love and respect him, the disease did not affect his ability to pass along his knowledge, skill, and love of dentistry to the students he mentored at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Besides serving as Assistant Professor in General and Restorative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, and Fixed Prosthodontics, Dr. Cohen also held the position of Chairman of Continuing Education. As an educator, Dr. Cohen had articles published in peer-reviewed dental journals. When the Cohens decided to take their lives in a different direction, they headed west to Lincoln, Nebraska where Dr. Cohen accepted an invitation to join the faculty of the University of Nebraska Dental School in Lincoln. His original directive was to revise the students’clinical curriculum for the first 2 years of dental school; however, that soon expanded to include research conducted in collaboration with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry on the application of electron microscopy to dental issues. Publication of this research as well as previous articles and excellence in his educational aptitude, made him a sought after speaker. The Cohens returned to Cleveland in 1991 whereupon Dr. Cohen became Associate Professor at CWRU School of Dental Medicine for 10 years. A further decline in health shifted his focus from dental education into the field of management of a busy group dental practice in Ravenna, Ohio. An unassuming and humble man, Bernie received 2 awards that he especially treasured. He was honored with membership in the National Dental Honorary Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the Phi Beta Kappa of Dentistry. He was also honored by OSU School of Dentistry as one of their most outstanding graduates of the century and invited to be the keynote speaker at a dental school event. Everyone who knew him loved him for his character and winning personality. He was warm, sincere, and honest as well as gregarious and easygoing. He had an incisive wit. In his last years, he loved nothing more than spending his time with Barbara, his wife of 60 years, and their dog Freckles at their home on Tanglewood Lake near Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, their two children, seven grandchildren and his brother Joseph. He was predeceased by his brother Jack. After a private service conducted by Rabbi Susan Stone, Dr. Cohen was interred at Mount Olive Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Kirk Berkowitz of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz. Those who wish, may make donations to their favorite charities in the name of Dr. Bernard D. Cohen. Sincere appreciation to the caregivers at The Weils of Bainbridge, Hillcrest Hospital, and Regency Hospital East (where he spent his final days). Their compassionate and expert care demonstrated their deep concern for the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of both “Dr. Bernie” and his wife Barbara. |
Franz Schneider '51 posted a photo:
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