Dr. Stuart S. Cohn OBITUARY
Dr. Stuart S. Cohn, 83, an optometrist from Reading, died peacefully in his sleep on September 15. Stu was born to Ben and Sara Cohn on January 1, 1942. He grew up in Pennside, attending Mount Penn High School and later the Blair Academy. An excellent student, Stu graduated from Cornell University in 1963 and Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1967, joining his father-in-law, Joe Liefter, in an optometric practice dating back to 1904. Stu practiced optometry for 52 years, serving as President of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association in 1986. He was beloved by his patients and staff, who were sad when he retired in 2020.
Stu’s greatest passion was his family. He took his future wife, Carol, to a dance when he was 12 and she was 11. They married in 1964, celebrated their 61st anniversary this year. Stu is survived by his son, Steve, his daughter-in-law, Aleta, and his grandson, Ariel, his spiritual children Trinh and Tony Nguyen and their children, Julian, Phoebe, and Bear. Stu was close with surviving sister-in-law Susan Zuckert, her son Andy Zuckert, his wife Karen, and their children Max, Sally Rose, and Abigail, and Tim Zuckert, his husband John Connolly, and Tim’s children Sam and Carlyn. Stu also had many first cousins he loved dearly, as well as their children, and he had hundreds of dear friends.
Stu had many other passions. He was an excellent fly fisherman, flew single engine planes, and adored watching Philadelphia sports… both when his teams won and lost, but more when they won. He watched the Eagles beat the Chiefs the night before he died, which gave him great joy and peace. Stu also enjoyed traveling, visiting roughly 70 countries with Carol over the years. He was an aficionado of jazz and classical music, enjoying artists ranging from Coleman Hawkins to Ornette Coleman and from Haydn to Schoenberg. Stu was also an ardent supporter of music in Reading, serving as Vice President of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, as President of Friends of Chamber Music, and on the selection committee for the Star Series. Service was important in all areas of his life. He was particularly proud of his service in the Jaycees and the Human Relations Council of Berks County.
Honesty and service to society meant everything to Stu. He was a man of character who will be missed by all who knew him.