Eulogy for Robert L. "Bob" Cohen
January 12, 2006 12 Tevet 5766
Dear family and friends,
On an ordinary Tuesday morning, Robert "Bob" Cohen started his typical work day. In the late afternoon, Bob drove his school bus with 40 children. Then, suddenly a tragedy happened – he had a heart attack while he was on the bus and Bob Cohen was no longer among the living.
It is written in the Book of Psalms: "Yemey Shanotenu Bahem Shiveem Shanah Vim Bigvurot Shamonim Shanah" meaning "the days of our years are seventy years and if with might, eighty years". Although the Almighty granted Bob 80 years of life, it is still difficult to see his life end so abruptly. He now leaves his beloved wife Lynn and his grieving family and all who are gathered with us today. All of us here, his family and friends are experiencing the shock of this horrific accident.
Bob grew up in Annapolis and later served in the army from 1944 to 1947. Bob loved Annapolis. After the war, he returned home and started to work for his father's business, a moving company and later on his own company.
Bob was married to the late Hilda Hahn for 44 happy years. Their home became a center for joyful gatherings and important meetings for so many worthy causes. Soon after their marriage, Hilda’s mother became part of their household. He treated his mother in law with the utmost respect and honor. They have 3 children: Beth married to Dr. Harvey Gross and their children David, Miriam, Michael and Yael. Joanne who married to Tom Petrillo and their children Matthew and Stephanie. And Ross married Robin and their children Adam and Mark.
After the passing of Hilda, Anna Greenberg, a long time family friend, introduced Lynn Pomerantz to Bob. Bob and Lynn were married and lived happily for almost 10 years. Lynn was a loyal and devoted wife. Bob embraced Lynn’s children: Joseph and his wife Laura Floam and their children Harrison, Michael and Natalie, Andrew and his wife Catherine Floam and their children Jacob, Caroline and Emily, and Kathy Floam.
What do we remember most about Bob? He was an optimist. He loved people especially children. He cared about his fellow man, community and all humankind. He was a hard worker. He loved sports. His favorite team was the Redskins and he was a great fan of those Super Bowl teams. Bob’s life personifies the best in what it is to be a husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He had a cheerful disposition. Everyone who knew Bob loved him. Bob was a real gentleman and a good friend to many. Bob had a wonderful attitude towards life. He was a conscientious and caring person.
Bob did a tremendous job as chairman of the first Jewish Festival in 1988, which was held at Congregating Kneseth Israel. His success led to his uncontested election to the synagogue presidency in 1990.
Bob was responsible for the revival of the Allen J. Reiter Lodge of B'nai B'rith. The lodge had been dormant for many years. There were many outstanding programs under his leadership. The highlight was the lodge's 50th anniversary in February 1987.
Bob often mentioned that he loved our Kneseth Israel synagogue, a place close to his heart. He was a proud Jew and he cared deeply for the state of Israel. We hope that his family will remain a vibrant part of our synagogue home.
Bob helped many causes and organizations that benefited society. Seeing everyone here today attests to the fact that Bob’s life touched so many and he will be sadly missed.
We express the sympathy of everyone gathered together this morning and we pray that his fine name, good deeds and values will live on. May his soul ascend to heaven and rest in peace forever more. Amen.
Shivah Minyans will be observed the entire week at the home of Cohen at 220 South Cherry Grove Avenue this afternoon at 4:45PM.
On an ordinary Tuesday morning, Robert "Bob" Cohen started his typical work day. In the late afternoon, Bob drove his school bus with 40 children. Then, suddenly a tragedy happened – he had a heart attack while he was on the bus and Bob Cohen was no longer among the living.
It is written in the Book of Psalms: "Yemey Shanotenu Bahem Shiveem Shanah Vim Bigvurot Shamonim Shanah" meaning "the days of our years are seventy years and if with might, eighty years". Although the Almighty granted Bob 80 years of life, it is still difficult to see his life end so abruptly. He now leaves his beloved wife Lynn and his grieving family and all who are gathered with us today. All of us here, his family and friends are experiencing the shock of this horrific accident.
Bob grew up in Annapolis and later served in the army from 1944 to 1947. Bob loved Annapolis. After the war, he returned home and started to work for his father's business, a moving company and later on his own company.
Bob was married to the late Hilda Hahn for 44 happy years. Their home became a center for joyful gatherings and important meetings for so many worthy causes. Soon after their marriage, Hilda’s mother became part of their household. He treated his mother in law with the utmost respect and honor. They have 3 children: Beth married to Dr. Harvey Gross and their children David, Miriam, Michael and Yael. Joanne who married to Tom Petrillo and their children Matthew and Stephanie. And Ross married Robin and their children Adam and Mark.
After the passing of Hilda, Anna Greenberg, a long time family friend, introduced Lynn Pomerantz to Bob. Bob and Lynn were married and lived happily for almost 10 years. Lynn was a loyal and devoted wife. Bob embraced Lynn’s children: Joseph and his wife Laura Floam and their children Harrison, Michael and Natalie, Andrew and his wife Catherine Floam and their children Jacob, Caroline and Emily, and Kathy Floam.
What do we remember most about Bob? He was an optimist. He loved people especially children. He cared about his fellow man, community and all humankind. He was a hard worker. He loved sports. His favorite team was the Redskins and he was a great fan of those Super Bowl teams. Bob’s life personifies the best in what it is to be a husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He had a cheerful disposition. Everyone who knew Bob loved him. Bob was a real gentleman and a good friend to many. Bob had a wonderful attitude towards life. He was a conscientious and caring person.
Bob did a tremendous job as chairman of the first Jewish Festival in 1988, which was held at Congregating Kneseth Israel. His success led to his uncontested election to the synagogue presidency in 1990.
Bob was responsible for the revival of the Allen J. Reiter Lodge of B'nai B'rith. The lodge had been dormant for many years. There were many outstanding programs under his leadership. The highlight was the lodge's 50th anniversary in February 1987.
Bob often mentioned that he loved our Kneseth Israel synagogue, a place close to his heart. He was a proud Jew and he cared deeply for the state of Israel. We hope that his family will remain a vibrant part of our synagogue home.
Bob helped many causes and organizations that benefited society. Seeing everyone here today attests to the fact that Bob’s life touched so many and he will be sadly missed.
We express the sympathy of everyone gathered together this morning and we pray that his fine name, good deeds and values will live on. May his soul ascend to heaven and rest in peace forever more. Amen.
Shivah Minyans will be observed the entire week at the home of Cohen at 220 South Cherry Grove Avenue this afternoon at 4:45PM.
