David Benjamin Cohen

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University of Texas

David Cohen Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

David Benjamin Cohen David Benjamin Cohen, September 21, 1941 to January 2, 2005, lived his life and left this world on his own terms. Best friend, head cheerleader, and husband of Leslie, devoted proud father of Jason, and wife Darla, sister of Rachel, son of Ruth, and loved dearly by mother-in-law Beatrice Victoria Rakoff, her daughters, Penny Rakoff and Sherry Lemnios and husband Charles and her daughter Ruby Sinreich. This brilliant man taught Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin for 33 years, enriching the lives of thousands of students. He is treasured by scores of close friends for his wide-ranging intellectual interests, steadfast loyalty, poetic soul, straight-forward pursuit of the truth, and love for a heated, challenging discussion. Author of six books ranging from sleep and dreaming, psychopathology, the nature of behavior, depression and human nature, the influence of parenting on the essential nature of a child, and a manuscript completed eight days ago on an analysis of Shakespeare from a psychological viewpoint that only David could create. We steadfastly fought his 10-year battle with Multiple Myeloma, he refused to let it change his life. We will celebrate his consummate life Sunday, January 9th at 1:00p.m., in the main sanctuary of Congregation Agudas Achim, 7300 Hart Lane. My sweet prince is at peace.

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

Published by Austin American-Statesman on Jan. 5, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for David Cohen

4 Entries

Bob Price

January 6, 2005

Dear Leslie and Jason,

It was David who encouraged me back in 1980 to apply to U.T. and come to Austin from Boston to do research in the Sleep Lab that he had established; finding a professor who was so genuinely excited and involved in dream research was a godsend for me. Some of my favorite memories of grad school were of me stumbling down the stairs from the sleep lab after a long night of monitoring sleeping subjects and recording their dreams to David’s office to tell him about the night’s events. His excitement and enthusiasm upon hearing about our latest findings were infectious, filling me with the energy I needed to do the long and usually tedious analysis and write-up.

Many of David’s qualities and attitudes reinforced fledgling attitudes in myself—his intense curiosity about the unexplained, his deep love for science as an explanatory tool, and his obvious enjoyment of the process—the search for answers. And David’s overriding good cheer and sense of humor always helped me to maintain a perspective of the bigger picture. During the 20th revision of a paper that David was editing for me, I might get a little impatient at times, but I always saw the value in what he was trying to teach—say what you mean as simply as you can.

And, Jason, I should add that I never saw your Dad as happy and beaming as when he would tell me about your latest accomplishments. Overall, I feel truly blessed to have had David in my life as a mentor and friend—his life and attitude will continue to inspire me for all of my days. -Bob Price-

Mark Levbarg

January 6, 2005

Dear Leslie,

David would understand my feeling sorry for myself for not having pursued the lunch we owed each other but he would not have let me off the hook about it, either.

I will be in NC at the unveiling of my mother's headstone on Sunday, but I will carry my memories of David, as well. You and Jason will be in my prayers.

Mark

Diane Farr

January 5, 2005

My first memory of David is the evening my husband Rodney and I met him at the LeMadeline restaurant on Lamar Blvd. at our first Austin Multiple Myeloma Support Group meeting. We met David two and 1/2 years ago and he looked great. My husband had recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and the outlook for his life seemed very bleak. Leslie and I worked for AISD and a friend of mine got us together and Leslie filled me with information, hope, and the reality of this dreadful disease. David was a picture of health and shared how he was dealing with cancer. I'm sure that David and Leslie have been an instrument of hope in many others that have faced living with multiple myeloma. David fought a courageous battle and will be greatly missed. I pray that Leslie can remember the wonderful times they had together and how much her and David's fight with cancer was a beacon of strength for so many others. Leslie, may God bless you and give you peace in the coming days. Love Diane and Rodney Farr

mary adams

January 5, 2005

Dear Leslie and Jason,

David was my psychology professor my freshman year at UT. I really enjoyed his class even though he was very, very hard.

After I started working at AISD, I met Leslie and learned that David was her husband. When their son Jason was at LBJ, he was in the orchestra with my daughter, Lissa.Later, my daughter Megan and I contributed a story to one of David's books. It truly is a small world.

Through the years Leslie and I have become good friends and I have been inspired by both Leslie and David and their battle with multiple myloma. Their love for each other and their son is a true testament.

How wonderful to know that David left this world with a wonderful legacy through his teaching and writing. He was a gift to us all.

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