Wonderful memories of a wonderful man.  Love you.  Maggie

I thought of Irving today, as it would have been his birthday. We always remembered our birthdays because of the day of the month they fell. I first met Irving at the age of ten. He had joined the group of doctors where my mother worked as their laboratory technician. He quickly became my hero when he painlessly changed a bandage from a nasty bicycle wreck that I had. Irving was a family friend and greatly admired. My mother drew the blood samples at our home when he and Patty were planning to get married. They did it that way so it would be kept a secret until it was time to tell everyone. He treated my sons and a grandson. He was a brilliant man who will be missed. We loved you, Irving. Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and friendship. Happy Birthday...

Dr. Cohen is probably the best Doctor that ever walked this earth. Confident, sharp, gentle and extremely kind man. He cared for all six of my children and kept my life real simple as a divorced parent. He was such a great inspiration for helping me steer my children to have great college educations and offered me the best advice in just short conversations. We all absolutely adored him and respected him and I am so very sad. I will always be eternally grateful to him and I hope that his family realizes his great contribution to improving lives and God's gift of love for just knowing him. The last time I visited with him was when he was recovering from hip or knee replacement and we were enjoying the really great food baskets that friends had sent him. I tried to convince him to graduate to an IPAD and write about his life and kids.

I was saddened to learn of Dr. Cohen passing away.  He was my pediatrician and an extended family member.  When I had my daughter in Dallas, I was tempted to take her to Birmingham for Dr. Cohen to treat her.  I am blessed to have a pediatrician that is very similar to Dr. Cohen.  I will always remember is ability to relax you and he was always willing to answer your questions.  I remember Lil (his nurse) and Ms. Danneberg.  I felt special to be called by my first name when I walked into his office.  He will be missed.

My husband and I were so saddened to read about Dr. Cohen's death in the paper. He took care of our 3 daughters from birth to his death. They never wanted to get another doctor as they got older and I didn't want to either. My husband asked me one time to find a dr. that was closer and I said ok I'll look, but I couldn't.  He knew our children and we knew him and loved him.  Dr. Cohen and I used to tease my husband about it all the time.  Dr. Cohen would tell him "You just wanted to kick me to the curb" and my husband would always laugh and say, "I admit I was wrong, I'm glad she didn't." My husbands mother past away last Dec, and he made a special trip to come to the funeral home to see us.  He was just that special person you only meet once in a lifetime. He was "the good guy"
He will be sorely missed.

My children were his patients and continued with him until he died, they are now 22 and 19. They loved him and trusted him and were in no hurry to find a "grown up" doctor and neither was I. Dr. Cohen was always available, kind, friendly, thoughtful, professional, and provided excellent medical care. It was clear that he cared about his patients and their families. I loved the time I spent just chatting and visiting Dr. Cohen when my children visited him. I continued to go with the children even after they could drive just to see and talk with Dr. Cohen. I can not tell you how much I miss him and will continue to miss him. He was a very fine man. The world was better off with him and he will be missed.

Our whole family was terribly saddened to hear about Dr. Cohen's death.  He was the best pediatrician I could have ever had for our two children.  One of our children studied medicine at UAB, and Dr. Cohen kept up with him until he graduated from medical school in 2011, even giving us a phone call on "Match Day" to check on his Residency school!  He will truly be missed.

The world has lost the most phemonmemal Pediatrician. Every patient relationship was a personal for him. My first encounter with him was in 2004 when my 4 yr old had a rash of fine bumps I panicked and Cohen just looked at him and said "oh he's got Scarlett Fever, I'll write him a prescription....so how is school coming?" He has a way of calming you down and letting you know that everything would be OK. He knew everything. I would sit in his office and we would dicuss everything. My heart is broken with the news of his sudden passing.

I met Dr. Cohen when I was 23 years old.I am now 71. He met me at Childrens Hospital when my 2 year old had measles. When i told him i had no money, he said just pay the hospital, i could pay him later. I had never met him before.He took care of my 4 children, 3 of my grandchildren who are now grown and have children of their own. Also, he was taking care of a second set of grand children ranging from 18 months to 12 years old. They all loved him dearly. Dr. Cohen once said to me, that we had grown old together and we were life long friends.My heart is broken. I have lost a friend of 48 years. The world is not the same without Dr. Cohen.You could talk to Dr. Cohen on the phone. Doctors don't do that now-a-days.  he was the best! I told him so. I thought he was the only Peditrician, there was no other, and I let him know that. I will always miss him! We went to his funeral. One of the most difficult things I've ever done. But I had to say good bye.


Carolyn Rouse

He will truly be missed he was a wonderful doctor

Dr. Cohen was undoubtably the most outstanding pediatrician to my children! I will never forget his worried face in the emergency room as he rushed in to check on my sweet second child when she was just two weeks old!  His gentle care, parental advice, and clear love for his work and his patients set him above all others! It feels like we've lost a family member.  Our prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and patients. Our loss is great, but our love is constant.  Take care of all of the sweet little angels up there Dr. Cohen, and keeping doing what you do best!

Dr. Cohen was an excellent and caring doctor to my three children.  He treated each patient as if he or she was the most important patient in the world.  They could not have had a more caring and devoted pediatrician.  The world needs more doctors like him.  Our family will miss him.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family members and his caring co-workers at Children's Medical Group.

I had the privilege of getting to know Dr. Cohen over 25 years ago.  We sustained a friendship through the years, and it was always a pleasure to see him at Medical Grand Rounds at Children's of Alabama.  His compassion, humor, and wisdom left an impression on me and countless others.  My deepest sympathies to his family.

Dr. Cohen will truly be missed by our family.  He has taken care of my son for 17 years.  He was the kindest most sincere person I've ever known.  We just saw Dr. Cohen on Nov. 12th.  He was doing so well after his hip replacement.  He told me he was STILL taking new patients.  I was in awe of his resilence.  I am still in shock that he is gone and I will never be able to get another hug from him.  He truly was my safety net as a parent. My son is devastated by the loss of not only his doctor but his friend. The world needs more people like him.  Our condolences go out to his family.  We will miss you!!! You are forever in our hearts.  Love always, Georgia and Hunter Flowers

Dr. Irving V. Cohen was the pediatrician for my children and also myself.  Such a caring professional!  We love you and you are truly missed!

Loved Irving. He wqs my childrens' doctor. He was kind and very loving. Remember when he took over Donald Silberman's practice and how happy we were. His life was his practice and he did it so well. He will be missed. Joanna Gotlieb

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Cohen's passing. I will forever be grateful to him for the care he gave to my children.  When my daughter heard of his passing, she remembered going in his office and waiting on lab results, sitting and eating peppermints! We will truly miss you!

Dr. Cohen was all four of my children's doctor. I remember him running down the hall assuring me he was going to be in the delivery room with me. They suspected that there was a problem with my baby so he promised he would be there. It was very short notice but he was there for me. He used to meet us on Sundays and after hours at his office when my oldest would run a 104-105 temp. He was a great doctor and very much appreciated by my family. Sorry for your loss.

Margerite Brewis

Dr. Cohen will be truly missed! He has been a doctor for the Fortson family for close to 40 years now. He was my husbands pediatrician and Once my husband  and I had children he became their doctor as well. He truly cared for his patient in a old fashion kind of way. My kids loved him so!

Irving has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember; he was one of my mother's best friends since she was 22.  She is now 59.  Irving was always on speed-dial at our house.  If we needed anything, the response from my mother was, "let's call Irving".  I'm convinced Irving was more up-to-speed with all of my medical ailments than my own local pediatrician...and I *absolutely* know he provided better and quicker care.  

Irving was also a little goofy, too.  At some point in my life, I told him I wanted to go to medical school and become a doctor --not only did I like the idea of helping people, I really liked the idea of wearing scrubs and having an unlimited supply of stickers.  From that point on, I could always count on getting regularly sent packages in the mail from Irving.  What was in them?  Scrubs and stickers, of course.  (He continued to send these to me...well into my 20s.)  

When I got married and very quickly divorced...Irving was livid.  Not at me, mind you, but at my ex-husband.  My biological parents were fired up enough but Irving was a completely different story.  Even though he never had children of his own, Irving thought of every patient, etc. as his children...and if you messed with his kids, well, he wasn't too thrilled.  

Irving was absolutely a fixture in our house and was like a second father in many respects.   I will never forget the day my mother came flying into my bedroom when I was much younger, Sharpie in hard, and scribbled Irving's phone number in my drawer.  "That way, if something ever happens to me or your need him, you know how to reach him.", she said.  While I am happy I'll never have to call him and let him know something happened to my mother, I am so deeply saddened and heartbroken that I'll never get to call him now at all.  He will be so, so missed by so many.  

I love you, Irving.  Thanks for the 20+ years of medical advice, antibiotics, marriage advice, divorce advice...and stickers.  Lots and lots...and lots --of stickers.

Dr. Cohen was the pediatrician for my mom and her brothers and sisters, and he was the pediatrician for my 2 sisters and me as well.  When I was a child, I was often sick with ear infections and strep throat and Dr. Cohen was so patient. As I got older and went off to college, I tried to find other doctors but none matched the care I received from Dr. Cohen. So, one day when I was sick and could not get better, I went back and asked him if I was too old to still be his patient and he said that I could keep coming to him until I had babies of my own. I continued to go to him until I was 28 years old. His receptionists told me he had many patients that were reluctant to leave their favorite pediatrician and so continued to see him in their twenties.
I felt safe going to Dr. Cohen because he would make sure the issues were all taken care of and he had the best bedside manner. He would always ask about how my family was doing, and when my older sister got married, he came to the wedding.  When I was younger, I remember how excited I would be to get to pick a sticker, and oftentimes, he would let my little sister choose one too (even if I was the only patient from the family that day).  At 28 years old, he would still take me over to pick a sticker, which always made me laugh to myself.  He would even still tell me not to fight with my sister over it, which also made me laugh because she was then 24 years old and living in Washington D.C.  I loved Dr. Cohen because he seemed more apart of my family than a doctor and I will forever remember him not only for all his care but also for his ability to quickly diagnose and solve the issues. I am so sad to read of his passing and wish the world were filled with more people just like him. I will miss him so much!

I was one of the lucky ones who got to be a patient of Dr. Cohen. He saw me my whole life and I absolutely loved him. He was such a kind and gentle doctor. RIP Dr. Cohen.

In his profession, he exemplified the Hippocratic Oath.  In his personal life, he was constant.  Whether  doctor, friend, or family, Irving held a special place in many hearts and touched many lives.

He made a difference.  What a wonderful legacy. 

There will be no other.  Love you, Irving.

My family is saddened by the passing of Dr. Cohen. We feel like a memeber of our family is gone. He was such  a caring man and always there when we needed to bring our child in. Rest in Peace Dr. Cohen, your work here on earth is done. We will truly miss you!!!

The Johnson's

I am heartbroken--I just spoke to Dr. Cohen a couple of weeks ago. He was doing so well after his hip replacement.  I was one of his first patients when he started his practice on 11th Avenue South with Liz and Mrs. Dannenberg.  I am now 59. My 3 children were also his patients.  I could call him anytime and he would always take care of us. We will miss him so much.

By the time you get as old as I am, the list of people you have known for your whole life is getting short. Irving was on that list. Even as a little kid I called him "Irving" and not "Dr, Cohen," and he never seemed to mind; it was probably his idea. He and my parents had been friends since before I was born, so he was a fixture around our house, and us around his (and PatPat's. Theirs was the first divorce I ever experienced, and I cried like a baby when I figured out what was happening.)   I never had kids of my own, but there's no doubt who their doctor would have been... even though it would have been a two-hour drive.

Dr. Cohen was my pediatrician in the 70s and 80s and became the pediatrician to my children as well.  I was so sad to hear of his passing, and can't imagine who I will get to replace him as my children's pediatrician.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Dr. Cohan was the last of a dying breed, a good old fashioned country doctor. But more importantly, he was a good person. He was my pediatrician and my children's pediatrician. They don't make doctors like him anymore. My wife and I feel as though we have lost a family member. Rest in peace Dr. Irving Cohen. Our prayers are with your family and many patients.

REST IN PEACE OUR BELOVED DR. COHEN. THANK YOU FOR THE GENUINE CARE YOU HAVE PROVIDED FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE WILL TRULY MISS YOU.
                                               VIC AND EVIE GUEVARA (BIRMINGHAM)

I am saddened by Dr. Cohen's passing! he was truly a blessing to my family! We will truly miss him!

Dr. Cohen remained a doctor for many in our family even well after they had become adults.  That's how much he was loved and trusted.  He literally had to make them find an adult doctor:-).

Dr. Cohen was my pediatrician in the 1960s, treated my older nephews in the 1970s and 80s, and treated my youngest nephews who are about to turn 18. He was fantastic as was his office staff. I have very fond memories of his nurse, Liz. There is a reason several generations of many families relied on him for advice and guidance. He was a wonderful doctor!
When I decided to go to law school late in life (36), the school insisted it needed my immunization records. I called Dr. Cohen and he actually had them! Hard copy records from the pre-digital 60s and 70s. Unbelievable!

Dr. Cohen was an awesome pediatrician. My mother worked with him when he and Dr. Wood were in practice. He was my doctor when I was a kid and then was my sons doctor when he was born. He was a great person and we will miss him dearly.

Dr. Cohen was our pediatrician, not just for my youngest daughter but for my grandchildren too. He was precious and unlike any other. He will be remembered for his kindness, patience, understanding and of course  Lollipops and Hugs.  I'm glad my we had the joy of knowing him.  Hannah, Lilly, Katie,& Huston    Cheryl Sanders and Sarah Williams

I have just heard the news tonight about Dr.Cohen. The tears are following and my heart hurts so badly. Dr.Cohen was my pediatrician and I am 43 years old as well as my childrens doctor. My oldest is 22 and she still sees him. She always says that no one could get her better like he could. My sons 17 and 12 loved him just as much. when I would have a problem with one of the kids I would always call him at home and we could talk for a hour about it. He always seemed to have the best advice ever. We looked at him as Dad and granddad. Dr. Cohen you will be missed so much. No one will ever compare to you in my eyes. I will always love you and you will always remain in my heart.

No finer pediatrician ever practiced.  He took care of our sons until they went off to college and then attended our grandchildren for a short while.  He was an important part of the lives of two generations.  What a legacy!  He will be sorely missed.  Our deepest sympathy.

Dr. Cohen was THE best! For the past 25 years he has been our pediatrician. Just Friday, my youngest daughter(22!) saw him. She said he was looking great and his hip replacement had been a great success. As always, she sat in his office and chatted while waiting on labs. He always made each patient feel special! We will miss his hugs and sincere care that he gave so willingly. God bless his family, he talked of all of you often and always had pictures to share.

Dr. Cohen was such a wonderful doctor and a gentle, humorous man.  We shall miss him very much.

Dr. Cohen was a part of our family for 17 years.  He always had a way of talking to the children and making them feel at ease.  He will greatly be missed!!  Kevin, Tammy, Michael & Faith Connolly

Dr. Cohen was my pediatrician and cared for our two sons now 26 and 17 years old. Great Doctor and friend. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

We will greatly miss Dr. Cohen. He's been our pediatrician for over 23 years for our five children. Love, Brian, Brenda, Scott, Emily, Hannah, Sarah and Jesse

Too many memories to speak of. What a wonderful man to so many children and adults alike. We will all miss you greatly. I feel so proud to have worked with you and to be able to call you my friend. You will so be missed. With much love. Melanie Combs

I am saddened today to discover that Dr. Cohen passed.  He was the pediatrician for my children and grandchild for over 30 years.  He was one of Birmingham's best doctors who will be missed.  We all loved him.

My deepest sympathies to Dr. Cohen's family.  My family has been using him for 30 years.  He was a very special and dear friend to us.  I will miss him so much but am grateful God gave me the opportunity to get to know such a sweet and caring man.  I will never forget you, Dr. C.  I love you.

I am so saddened to hear about Dr. Cohen's passing!!! He has been my pediatrician since I was born in 1981. He wasn't only a doctor to me; he was the pediatrician that every child in the family went visited.  I continued to see him until, I got in college. I remember telling him that my mom said that since I was getting older, that I am too big to see a pediatrician. He laughed and told me that I could come as long as I wanted to. I knew that it was time to establish another doctor after going to college, but I have never had the quality of service that I received since going to Dr. Cohen.  I am so glad that I was able to know Dr. Cohen. My prayers are with the family!!!! He will be missed!!!

He was my doctor from birth, and even came to see my daughter in the hospital after her birth. He was the sweetest man and there will never be another like him. He will surely be missed!

Irving was a fine doctor and a good friend. He will be missed by all.

Ernest Campbell, MD

Dr. Cohen was the very best, he served as my pediatrician from birth in 1977 until adulthood and my daughter's from her birth in 2002 until his death. He was always patient and kind!   Dr. Cohen will be greatly missed.

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH DR.COHEN & WILL MISS YOU!-THE RUSSO FAMILY

I am so sad.  Dr. Cohen was our pediatrician for 30 years.  I still saw him monthly for my youngest.  He will be truly missed.  What a great loving and caring man!  We will miss you.  Glenda, Jennifer, & Nicole

I am very saddened by the news of Dr. Cohen's passing.  He was a great person and an exceptional docotor.  He has seen my family and I for over 25 years.  With a newborn and two other children I've seen him alot recently.  It won't be the same for my girls not to get a hug, a handful of suckers, and mints for mommy from Dr. Cohen.  He will be greatly missed.

You are the best We Love and Will Miss You So Much    You were more to us than a Doctor you were a special friend of the family.You took care of my kids and grandkids. You will be greatly missed

Sad to read of Irving's passing. We were classmates from Capitol Heights Elementary School on. I remember him as gentle, kind and caring. Visiting with him at Lanier Reunions I learned
of his many accomplishments. My thoughts are with all of his family and friends.

We love you Dr. Cohen!!

Matt, Kellie, LeeAnn, Kate, Audrey, & Tallulah Meloun

My deepest sympathies to Dr Cohen's family - including all his patients and their parents, as they were his family also! He treated us all as his family. My daughter 31, was his patient since she was 5 years old, and of course her children were his patients - as there is no one better! My 17 year old was his patient also. We are so sad and will miss him so much. Bekki Payne

It is with such a heavy heart I find myself sending these condolences. Dr. Cohen has been a part of mine & my childrens lives for over 28yrs. Even though my children are now grown they have never been able to make that step of getting a "grown-up" doctor because they loved him so much. He graciously agreed to see them as long as they wanted to come see him. They truly broke the mold when they made him. I will always remember his kind & caring ways & the excellent care he always gave my children. He will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Thank you again for all you have done for us Dr. Cohen & know you will always be in our hearts.-The Russo Family(Mike/Teresa/Ashley/Brandon/Falon

How my heart hurts this morning!! Dr. Cohen was the BEST doctor, and my children also loved him. He was my husband's pediatrician, also. He was so patient and caring, and we will all miss him so very much! So glad I got to hear his voice one last time last week. We love you!

They don't make them like Dr. Cohen anymore! He was our children's Dr. in the 70's and 80's.  best one ever. I always kidded him about his shirt pocket FULL of papers...... he called it his filing  cabinet!  He will be greatly missed. Prayers go out to his family.   Sharon and Emris graham

Dr. Cohen was "our doctor" for over 20 years. I will always remember his gentle bedside manner, the kindness when putting a new mother's fears at ease, the "office chats", and mostly the precious hugs and love he always had for the children.  Many times I would call on him to ask for an opinion and would not make a decision unless "Dr. Cohen said it was ok".  He had my confidence and most of all, the confidence of my girls.  I will always love Dr. Cohen and be thankful for the 20-plus years of care he provided.

Dr. Cohen was my pediatrician, as well as my mom's. Three months ago I had a baby girl and it saddens me deeply that she will not know him. I miss him so much already, and I can't imagine even looking for another doctor. :-( Dr. Cohen was one of a kind and will be missed by all of us! We love him like he's family!

My sympathies go to the family and friends. I never thought I would see the day that I would be reading his obit! He was the best! Great memories of him and his kind staff, especially nurse Liz, through my childhood 1970s and 80s. Always gave me a lollipop or sucker after every visit! There will never be another one like him! He was one of a kind!

Dr. Cohen was the best pediatrician for our daughters.  He took time to make sure all the questions were answered.  When they were sick, he even called a few days after their doctor's visit to make sure they were okay.  He was never too busy to spend time with them and even when they were too old to go to a pediatrician, he would still continue to let them be his patient.  Dr. Cohen will be missed by so many loving patients that were treated like his very own children.  He would be a great role model for young doctors who decide to go into pediatrics. We are so fortunate that he was a part of our lives.  Mike & Harriet Bagby

I called on Dr. Cohen when I worked for SmithKline Beecham. Always so nice and professional. He will be missed.

Dr. Cohen has been part of our family as a physician for many years.  He will be missed by all. He was a blessing to all his patients.

Dr. Cohen is going to be truly missed! I was thankful to have him in my life. Twenty two years or so ago my mother found Dr. Cohen and he was always a part of our family since. I got to experience Dr. Cohen as a patient and recently as a mother of his patient. He put me at such an ease when my son was just a newborn and I'm very thankful my son got to see him the short time that he did. We love you, Dr. Cohen!

Dr Cohen we love you and you will be missed so very much... Thank you for taking care of 3 generations in my family as our pediatrician ...  Prayers to all the little ones and to all families and the sweetest most loving dr family I ever had the pleasure of knowing !

Dr. Cohen will be truly missed. Always in our hearts. 

The Dennis Family

Our deepest condolences. Our children have seen Dr Cohen for eighteen years. We have loved him like a member of the family and told him so our last visit. Hhe will surely be missed.

In memory of my beloved friend, father figure and caregiver to my family.  I will always be greatful for all that you taught me and I am forever molded by your devotion.

We are all going to miss you and just sitting in your office talking to you while waiting on lab work. You have been a great doctor for my kids in the past 18 years and you was just like family to them. Love You, Martha

OBITUARY

Irving V. Cohen

October 20, 1932 – November 26, 2012

Ridout's Valley Chapel

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