To much of Southwest Houston, he was Dr. Stu, beloved pediatrician and educator. But to us, he was Papa, and the world is poorer for his loss. On April 24, 2024, Stuart Kenneth Cohan passed away at home surrounded by family only a few days before his 97th birthday.
Born May 11, 1927 in Syracuse to Doris and Mortimer Cohan, Stuart was a superstar from the beginning. He graduated high school at sixteen, started SUNY medical school at eighteen, and finished at 22, earning a place in the AOA honor society. He chose to do his residency in Chicago because they had two baseball teams, and we’re so glad he did, because that’s where he met Joyce Lesky, who was visiting from Houston. Together they raised four children, six grandchildren, and three great grand-children who were the lights of his life. They explored the world and made it brighter for nearly 69 years until she passed in 2021.
Stuart was so playful and giving. As a pediatrician he spent nearly 50 years making kids feel safe and healthy. After he “retired,” he taught Pediatrics for another decade at the University of Texas Houston, where he passed down his unique insights to students and residents. Years later, we hear they are still learning “Cohan’s Pearls” of wisdom. When he finally retired from teaching around age 85, Stuart started delivering Meals on Wheels, though he was often older than those he served. He was fiercely stubborn, living independently until the end. He was a voracious reader, and he had an incredible memory; Papa Stu loved sharing stories of his life with his family. He was silly, and he would often “get tickled” and laugh until he would wheeze and turn pink. Usually at Joyce’s expense. If you live until nearly 97, you have time to be many things–most of all, he was loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mortimer and Doris, his sister Donna Turell, and of course his partner, love, and wife, Joyce Cohan. He is survived by his children Steve and Priscilla; Leslie and Richard; Caryn; Andy and Mitch; his grandchildren Valerie and Efi; Mark and Kat; Eric and Callie; Drew and Shina; Kailey and Henry; and Koby; and great-grandchildren Sarah, Josiah, and Claire; cousins Linda and Alan Port; his sister-in-law Linda Miller and her husband Harris; and special life-long friend Bonnie Preston.
Stuart will be laid to rest this Sunday, April 28, 2024 next to Joyce at the Emanu El Cemetery. A memorial to celebrate his life will follow at Congregation Emanu El Synagogue at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in Stuart’s honor. Some of his favorites included Meals on Wheels, the Houston Food Bank, the Holocaust Museum, and Houston Children’s Charity.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6