David L. Cohn

David L. COHN 85, of Mercer Island died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on September 8, 2003. He was born May 1, 1918 in Evansville, Indiana to Abraham & Eva Cohn. David attended the University of Indiana. But because of the Depression he had to leave school and work in his father's poultry business. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served until 1946, including a tour of duty in the Panama Canal. David met his wife, Ruth, in 1934 when she was 13 and he was 15. He married his childhood sweetheart nine years later in 1943. In May 2003 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple moved to Seattle in 1947 where David began his long and successful career in the hospitality industry. Mr. Cohn was the Chairman of the Board of Consolidated Restaurants, Inc. He served as Past President, University of Washington Board of Regents, Swedish Hospital Medical Center Foundation Board, & King County Sports Council Executive Board. He was past President of University of Washington Tyee Board, King County Dome Stadium Commission, & Seattle Rotary Foundation. Vice President & Executive Board member, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Executive Board member of the Downtown Seattle Association, Greater Seattle Tourists Convention Bureau, & Seattle King County Historic Society. Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, Seattle Rotary, & National Conference of Christians & Jews. General Chairman, 1984-89, N.C.A.A. Final Four. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth; sons, Steve, and his wife Laura, and Ron, and his wife Alana, Cohn; grandchildren, Rebecca, Sarah, Austin, Elliot, and his wife Stacey, Garin, & Evan Cohn; sisters, Helen Cowen, Lenora Burgauer, & Esther Fink. He was preceded in death by his sister, Fran Goldman. David's family would like to gratefully acknowledge the kindness and care extended to them by the medical and nursing staff at Swedish Hospital Medical Center First Hill Campus, Six East. Memorial Service, 3 p.m., Sunday, September 14, 2003 at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, 1511 East Pike St., Seattle, WA. Arrangements entrusted to Butterworth-Arthur Wright Chapel. Remembrances suggested to the Temple De Hirsch Sinai Remembrance Fund; the David & Ruth Cohn Athletic Endowment Fund, University of Washington Athletic Dept., Box 354070, Seattle, WA 98195; or the charity of your choice.