Stanley Cohen

1922 - 2020

Stanley Cohen

Nashville - Stanley Cohen, a Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Emeritus, at Vanderbilt University and a Nobel Laureate, died peacefully February 5, 2020, in Nashville, TN with his wife Jan by his side. He was 97 years old.

Stanley and his research partner Rita Levi-Montalcini were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 for their discovery of growth factors. Their findings have proven fundamental to understanding the development of cancer and designing anti-cancer drugs.

Stanley approached life with optimism and a smile on his face. He never spoke negatively about anyone and always made the best of every situation. Always humble, he attributed his professional success to two key factors: 1) Pay attention to your data, and 2) Be lucky.

Upon retirement, he and Jan spent time in Tucson, Arizona, where he volunteered in the local school district teaching kids about science and was inspired by the majestic desert landscape. He was a life-long mentor to students of all ages, ranging from Tucson school kids to his national and international colleagues.

The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Brookdale Belle Meade Clare Bridge Memory Care and Adoration Hospice for the loving care they provided. Also, much thanks goes to CompassionCare.

He is survived by his wife Jan Jordan, three children, Bert Bishop and his wife, Kay Bowen, Ken Larsen, Cary Cohen and his wife, L'Don Sawyer, two granddaughters, Lori Cohen and Tamara Larsen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Stanley Cohen Innovation Fund at Vanderbilt University, which was established to support innovative and high-risk research, or the Adoration Hospice Foundation, Nashville.

Upon Stanley's request, no memorial services will take place.