Dr. Edward Coen

Rest in Peace, Edward Coen. You made my grad student days at the U of MN / Twin Cities brighter and humorous. Thank you !

Such a generous and humorous person! I have fond memories of him from my PhD student days in Minnesota, 1985-1990. R.I.P. Ed!

Ed had a great sense of humor. I remember many mornings, on our commute to the U of M, when the laughter was louder than traffic noise and the rumble of my car.

It was a good way to start the day.

I have very fond memories of Ed Coen's generosity, humor, and friendship. Ed Coen made my journey at the U of MN a happier one, even more pleasurable and self-fulfilling. May he rest in Peace. Thank you.

Well done Ed , I greatly enjoyed knowing you as my professor . Don houpt

It is with great shock to learn of the passing of my mentor, advisor, teacher, friend Dr. Baba Coen as we used to call him today 10/08/12. Dr. Coen understood the plight of foreign students and was always there to assist them in any way shape or form. He was a darling to his students, he was jovial,funny, it was always a pleasure to be around him. He was always enthusiastic to teach.His office door was open to his students. He impacted me in many ways. When I walk along the corridor of former Economics & Management Bldg. (Hanson Hall) I often wonder where is my man, not knowing that he has journeyed to be with his savior,the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr. Coen may your gently soul rest in perfect peace. You will for ever be missed.
Jim Akpan, Brooklyn Park, former student.

Very sorry to hear this news. He would not remember me, but I was one of Professor Coen's many undergradtuate students in the 1980s. I have great memories of his classes, Prof. Coen excitedly pacing back and forth trying to help hundreds of students grasp welfare economics and the like, expounding on a tangent of some sort. Then suddenly looking at the clock and exclaiming, "....gotta get crackin...". Off we'd go in another direction. A funny, sincere, kind man. We need more like him.

I was saddened to learn of this loss. He was of significant help to me in working and getting through the graduate program, though I was not alone. '63 Ph.D.

Ed was my adviser and my instructor at the U in the 70's. What a great man.

Ed was my teacher and adviser at Minnesota during the 1980s. He greatly influenced my worldview. I feel extremely fortunate to be counted among the many students that he positively influenced.

My deepest condolences to his family.

My condolences to the family. Prof Coen was my favorite teacher (and advisor) at the University of Minnesota. He made a huge difference in my life. He will never be forgotten.

Prof. Coen was my econ. teacher at the U of M in the late 60s - always a thoughtful, caring educator, patient and willing to help. A role model for students and other teachers as well. While fascinated with econ., I went on to become a lawyer and then a 5th grade teacher.

I was a graduate student at the University of Minnesoata in the mid 1960's. I knew Ed Coen by sight but he did not know me. At that time the Burlington Railroad ran weekend excursions to Chicago.I was seated in the nearly empty dome car as the train rocked along through the night,returning to the Twin Cities when Ed and two young lads,whom I assumed to be his sons, settled into the seat behind me, gazed at the nighttime sky,and quietly began to weave tales. I sat there,unnoticed by them, enchanted. I can't remember the details of the stories they made up but I was deeply impressed by the way Ed nurtured and respected the boys' imaginations. I never had further contact with the Coens, but over the years, long before I ever heard of Ethan and Joel
Coen, I often thought of Ed as an exemplar of something I wanted to be as a father.

It's the passing of an era and those of us who knew him in the 80s will remember him very fondly. Ed was not only universally loved for his wacky sense of humor (he had me in stitches many times, especially some classic moments in the men's room), he was also exceptionally kind and caring to me through some difficult times. Thanks for the memories, Ed!

My condolences to the family. Ed was always wonderful to everyone in the Department of Economics at the University of Minnesota, including the staff. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

For Deborah, Joel, and Ethan .. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and fond wishes. Dr. Ed was a rare treasure of humanity, urbanity, and civility, which he shared in actions, stories, and mere presence. I missed him when our paths diverged, thought fondly of him often, told some stories about him to my children when they asked me about my growing up time - I even tried to explain the 'Coen system of education.' May you be comforted by your memories of him and knowledge of the good things he did while with us.

My heartfelt condolences to the family.

I remember well our morning trips to campus when we used to carpool with Dr. Ed..... Or Ed standing on the steps on a freezing winter morning yelling for Yaffi to come back in the house. I can hear his voice to this day.

He was a good man.

My condolences to Ed Coen's family. I have wonderful memories of Ed Coen, his wonderful sense of humour, his unfailing willingness to be of help to us, students at the U of MN Econ Dept, his constant dedication to all students and to the Department as teacher and head of the undergrads. He will be missed by all of us. But the memories of wonderful times will remain to be treasured.

It was a privilege and a delight to be a close neighbor of the Coen family for many years. Ed was warm, personable, funny, and friendly, and it was a joy to know him. My thoughts are with his family tonight.

Ethan, Joel, and Debbie I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I so fondly remember him having his cup of tea with me in the kitchen, walking to the bus stop all of those mornings, and our long talks about life in general. I know he has been ill for a long time and I am glad that he is finally at peace. My love to all of you and your families. Peace to you, Shelley

Sincere condolences to Ed Coen's family. He was a bright spot in the midst of the “dismal science” department when I worked there in the 1980s/1990s. His delightful sense of humour, sensitivity to students‘ concerns, and dedication to the undergraduate Economics program at the University of Minnesota enhanced the environment of the department during the decades he was on the faculty. Ed Coen's kindness and compassion was a comfort to me when my boss (and his friend) Prof. Brownlee and my mother died within a year of each other. May it comfort his family that memories of him continue to inspire those of us privileged to have known Ed Coen.

A heartfelt farewell to Ed from a once young man who took inspiration from this educator, pontificator and raconteur. I chanced upon Ed in the mid seventies through my enrollment in his environmental economics class. From that point forward, I took every class Ed offered. We lost a good man. Bless the family as we celebrate the contributions of a man who personally made me embrace education. Thank you Ed.

I was a PhD student when Ed arrived at Minnesota. I have many warm memories of him both as an economist and as a person. He had a great life, which will live on in his students.

Very sorry to hear of the passing of "easy" Ed. Warm memories of camping at Taylors Falls with the boys and Zimers, and vacation in New Hampshire during the summer of 1969. Always an easy laugh and positive word.

I was a PhD student in the 1980s, and we all needed to have a meeting each year with Ed to get our teaching assignments. At the end of mine I said, "I just saw Raising Arizona and liked it a lot." Ed said, "Well, I'm glad it appeals to the intellectuals." I knew then where the Coen Brothers got their sense of humor.

My heartfelt condolences! This is such a sad loss. I remember Ed Coen well from my graduate student days: always cheerful, inspiring and unassuming. A genuine hero. He will be missed.

Dear Debra and Family,

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Nancy Robinow