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Neil Philip Cohen

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Neil Cohen Obituary

Neil Philip Cohen

San Rafael, CA

Neil Philip Cohen, former Professor at the UT College of Law, died after a brief illness on May 8, 2017, in San Rafael, California. He was 72.

Neil was born in Centralia, IL to Bernard and Sylvia Cohen. He graduated from Centralia High School, Yale University, Vanderbilt Law School, Harvard Law School and Cambridge University.

Neil began teaching law at UT in 1972 and taught his final class on April 26, 2017 as a Visiting Professor at the University of San Francisco. In 45 years of teaching, he taught thousands of students at law schools all over the world. Students described him as "demanding, funny, completely fair and one of the best law professors they've had."

Neil had many interests and eccentricities, and had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor. He was a serious barbecue aficionado; he rescued and wore hats that he found in the street; he founded and wrote all the content for a satirical news site www.sort-of-the-news.com; and no matter where he was he watched his beloved Vols on TV, usually while wearing orange.

After Neil retired from UT, he and his wife Riva lived in San Rafael, California. Perhaps his greatest joy was being Papa to his grandchildren - exchanging jokes and hugging them in his big, warm embrace.

He is survived by his wife Riva Nelson; sons Jonathan, Jeremy, Daniel and step-son Ben Peloquin; daughters-in-law Kristin, Tracey and Colleen; and grandchildren Ella, Molly, Will, Paige and Charley.

There will be a Celebration of Neil's life on June 17th in San Rafael, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Neil's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the ACLU or the United Nations Syrian Refugee program (UNHCR).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Knoxville News Sentinel on May 21, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Neil Cohen

17 Entries

Janet Hanson Stanish

June 4, 2023

This message may be way too late to be received, but I just learned of Neil´s death. I knew him ( and met his parents) when we were students at Centralia High School. I hold special memories of Neil as a kind, polite and extraordinarily thoughtful friend. I also hold regrets and sadness about being unaware of his move to northern CA and missing an opportunity to connect with him and his family. I lived very near San Rafael from 1979-2020.
Janet Hanson Stanish

Daniel

November 17, 2020

This message comes far too late, and for that I apologize. Professor Cohen, as he was known to me, taught my Evidence class at University of San Francisco SOL in what would be his final semester teaching. Professor Cohen was undoubtedly a brilliant legal mind, one who knew the Rules of Evidence like he knew the back of his hand. More impressive, however, was his profound sense of humanity. One night, when I stayed after class to speak to him, Professor Cohen told me a story about his clerkship that sticks with me today, and is a constant reminder that the law is only useful to the extent it helps people. My condolences to his family. Professor Cohen was a good man, who touched the lives of many.

Elizabeth Price-Foley

December 9, 2019

I will miss him. He taught me so much. He left this world far too soon.

September 24, 2018

I was a student in Professor Cohen's Evidence course at Brooklyn Law School: a subject which hitherto I had no interest in, nor any positive expectations of. Professor Cohen brought the subject alive with his intelligence, wit, and natural enthusiasm. His was one of the few classes I actually looked forward to, and I still recall him fondly from time to time even a decade later.

After the last class there were a number of students already waiting to thank him, so I left without saying anything. I always regretted not personally letting him know how much I enjoyed his class and appreciated him as a teacher.

He will be missed.

melinda morton

May 14, 2018

His ride-along program with Knoxville police officers taught me a lot. If he were alive today, I'd bet he would be helping with some of the needed community relations.

melinda morton

September 14, 2017

He was too young to go and will be missed by many, many students, I'm sure. I was fortunate to take Criminal Law with him at UT years ago and have always been glad that I went on two of the police ride-alongs he organized for student volunteers. My first experience with police had been in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic convention. But after those Knoxville ride-alongs, I was able to look at police work from a different point of view. Thanks, Dr. Cohen.

UT Knoxville

July 10, 2017

http://www.npr.org/2017/07/08/536035046/remembering-captain-neil-cohen-summer-camp-counselor-and-sage

Stu Cohn

July 8, 2017

Neil ("Capt. Neil") was our counselor at Camp Indianola, on Lake Mendota (in Madison, WI), for the summer 1964. We knew he was an athlete-scholar, but most important a wonderful, dedicated counselor (and big brother) to six of us twelve year olds. Neil had a wonderful sense of humor, put up with rafts of adolescent nonsense, and above all was a person of exemplary character. Even at that age, we knew enough to recognize what a truly fine human being he was. Our condolences to the family. Rest in peace, Capt. Neil.

Ronald Johnson

May 26, 2017

Neil and I were high school buddies. He was my catcher throughout high school baseball and my partner in various comedy acts . I will miss that guy a lot. My prayers and best wishes to all the family. Ron Johnson

Marla Peterson

May 25, 2017

Neil and I were appointed by the Chancellor to serve as the first faculty ombudspersons. I treasured his wisdom, fairness, and insights as we worked to bring resolution to issues facing the faculty, students, staff and administration.

Gordon Burghardt

May 25, 2017

I remember Neil not as a lawyer or teacher, but as a long-term member of our biweekly faculty probability seminar until he left UT and Knoxville. He was a delightful guy, engaged with life, very playful (especially in BBQ experimentation) and an excellent poker player.

Sue Cain

May 23, 2017

Professor Cohen's many hours, days and weeks of volunteer work during the 1980's on the Tennessee Sentencing Commission was crucial in its successful effort to provide Tennessee with a modern Criminal Code. He was always supportive, friendly, and helped draw the members together to work through difficult issues analytically and with great professionalism. So very sorry he did not get more time with his wife and family during his retirement. He clearly adored them.

Monica Franklin

May 22, 2017

Professor Cohen was my favorite professor. What a great guy! My condolences to his family. Monica Franklin, UT Law Class of '92.

May 22, 2017

I was his student at Brooklyn Law School for the 2016 fall semester. He was interesting, entertaining and full of life. Very sad to hear. SK

Abraham Brietstein

May 21, 2017

Neil will certainly be missed. He was a true friend, a wonderful father, an advocate for the disadvantaged and a true scholar. Our entire family will miss him.

M. Neil Smith

May 21, 2017

I had the great good fortune to work as Professor Cohen's research assistant from 1981-83. As much as he taught me about law, the most important things he taught were through his example - to be a good and moral person who saw the law as a means to better society and help others. May his family find some solace in knowing Professor Cohen made a difference and the world is a better place because he was here.

Daniel Schuch

May 18, 2017

Thank you Professor, you taught me the meaning of honor, justice, fairness and virtue. My heart felt sorrow to your family for their loss. RIP

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