Funeral Details

Sending heartfelt condolences to Allen's family and friends. I am very saddened by his passing. I met Allen some six or seven years ago when I joined "Exploring the Visual Arts," a class offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Evanston, until the pandemic, and then online. He had been a member of this class for decades, and in significant ways, he was its heart. His keen visual intelligence and insightful comments regularly elevated class discussion. He will be missed.

Frida Furman

My condolences to the Cohen family. Allen was a friend of Sherlock Holmes with others like me.
His discussion and contributions to our group was on a different level than the others in our group.
His insight and wisdom is hard to find these days and he will be missed,
May his memory be a blessing.I will carry him with me to the end.
Bob Sharfman
Chicago

Robert Sharfman

I have known Allen for about 10 years. He was kind, considerate, and filled with energy in communicating with his friends and in pursuing his amazing work in photography. My wife Diane and I will miss him very much.
I send my condolences to all the members of his family and also to his close friends for the loss of such a precious person.

HOWARD COHEN

I have known Alan through the International Relations class which he coordinated through the Northwestern Olli program
He was special kind of person who was knowledgeable and caring and dedicated . It is heartbreaking to learn of his passing . He will be missed by many and I send my condolences and prayers to his family and countless friends

Elliott Hartstein

To the Cohen Family from Stanley Cohen:
Like many others I am shocked. At last Friday morning class, he kibbitzed like normal. He said he needed to leave at 11:45. Maybe 10 days ago, he allowed me to discuss his ability or inability of losing his wife. He stated it was not easy but he could cook and clean and that he was able to utilize his moments with friends and hobbies. Not once did he complain. I met Allen in September 2000 when I had joined Olli. Because we lived in Sonoma, Ca, my wife attended Olli in Santa Rosa and it was easy to be a member. Allen was one of two men who probably spent 50 hours over a 20 week span twice a year ( on class discussing class materials) never complaining about anything. Always happy concerning the great attendance that discussed many an issue from both sides of the aisle. I certainly will miss him.

stanley cohen

Although I only knew Allen for about three years as a member of his OLLI International Relations class, I soon realized that he was a special person- wise, kind and gracious. My sincere condolences to his family.

Bob Grover

My Dad was a person who loved life to the fullest. Easy with a joke, happy to discuss philosophy and politics, art, and always taking on a new challenge if he could. His presence will be sorely missed by me and my brothers, our children and our children’s children and of course, our spouses and all those who knew and loved him. Our family is so shocked by his departure from this life that he loved.
I will always remember how he would teach and sing the oldest songs to, and with me as a kid, would fly me around on his knees and call us “the flying gazeenees” and sit quietly with me as a kid on Sunday’s to repair my often ripped blanket “Puffy”.
As an adult we had lively discussions, disagreements and many laughs. He attended all the events that were important to me in my life and I will never forget how much he loved being with us.
Rest in peace, Dad. I love you.

Laurie Craig

Allen was such a delight. Funny, caring, thoughtful, intelligent. He loved life and learning to the fullest extent. I’ll always treasure our conversations on Friday morning at the Y. I’m so blessed that I knew him. May his memory be a blessing.

Sandy Frum

Allen was a special person. He was a coordinator for International Relations. I have know him for 8 years.
Occasionally we would have lunch together. I would call him from time to time. There were times when Harriet and I would talk before he would get on the phone.
They both were very nice people.
He was very knowledgeable and well read
I will miss him.
I give my condolences to his family
Jack Muscia ..

Jack Muscia

I am heartbroken to hear of Allen’s passing, as I am sure are many others. What Allen added intellectually to the International Relations class was singularly special and will be greatly missed. by all of us. He will be fondly remembered.. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing. April Ware, October 21, 2025

April Ware

My condolences, Jay…

Ronald Almera

Allen was a great man. Alwyas had a good joke and an amazing sense of humor. He always made Mark's friend welcome at his home.

Russell Stone

For many years, Allen was a member of the Beespeckled Band, a group that discussed the stories of Sherlock Holmes. Allen as one of our most spirited members, discussing Sherlockian passages as if they were the Talmud. He was one of our most popular members; discussions were always more enjoyable when he was present. And, of course, how we'll miss the egg nog he always brought to our Sherlockian holiday party. After his wife passed, Allen told me how much he was looking forward to getting back to our bi-monthly meetings. Our group will miss Allen greatly - he brought us so much joy.

Ronald Levitsky

There were never enough times together, with family, at the Y, the Symphony, meals out and so much more. Pat and I are saddened and grasping all the wonderful memories.
Marv White and Pat

Marv White

Farewell old friend, .Alan and I shared our Congregation BJBE and Olli International Relations class for many years. Each semester I would get the phone call with his voice saying "hello old man" and enlist me for a subject. He did a remarkable job to sustain the high level in the class and kept a bunch of talkative (but smart) classmates in line. His knowledge of world events was amazing and he always produced a list of current events for the t erm. Alan will be sorely missed and we have lost anot her good nanogenarian friend.

Bob Steiner

(Grampy) Allen was a funny and kind man. He did a lot more things that a person can't probably do in a life time. he loved spending time with family and friends. I am very sad that he passed away but i do know that he lived a great life. We did so much stuff together. He was one of the nicest people i have ever met. If i could spend more time with him i would definitely say yes. He will me missed a lot.

Love, Spencer Cohen

Spencer Cohen

Uncle Allen was a one of a kind person. He was witty, kind, loving, charismatic, and so much more. All of my memories of him are those of a smile on his face, one that makes you smile too. Allen was always interested in what you had going on in your life. As someone who valued an active lifestyle he never missed an opportunity to ask me about my rock climbing adventures and was supportive of my endeavors. Much of my early Jewish learning came from holidays and gathering with the family at Uncle Allen and Aunt Harriet’s home. There are often times in my life now where I feel disconnected to family and Judaism. In these moments, I can easily reflect on those times in their home celebrating around the table or running around in search of the afikoman. When I think of these times, my heart fills with the many memories it holds. Allen will always be a part of us in our pictures, faces of loved ones, and in our hearts and memories. My condolences to everyone. I love you all.

Abbie Widing (Spiwak)

Allan was heading an Olli class “international relations” for over 10 years. I considered him a dear friend.

Hillel Furlager

Mark, I'm leaving this message fo r you and your family since q minor medical issue has kept me out of contact with friends and family for the last week. We ,met last year at the Shiva of your mother . . Alan and I became close acquaintances through OLLI programs in Foreign Relations discussions and then in ARt History. Often we used to lunch together
in pre covid days.. I always admired his breadth of interests but photography was a real treat for many of his classmates. He will be missed by many in the Olli program, where our paths crossed over two decades and we share e respective stories over family abroad at those times. He lived a long meaningful life that I am sure willbbe remembered with joy.

In fond memory. Lloyd

lloyd morgan

Dear Family of Al.
I just met Al about a month ago at our grief group from the cancer wellness center in Northbrook. He was so enthusiastic about sharing his story of His wife’s passing with the group he was engaging and talkative that we were all surprised when he told us his age. He told us about his family,his photography and exercise regimen We were so distressed when our leader
Emailed us of his passing. We missed him last Monday Just wanted you all to know he made an impact on our brief time together. Wish we could have had him in the group longer

Ronny Baker

My sincere condolences to the Cohen family.
I got acquainted with Allen for just a few years when OLLi International Relations study group became a virtual zoom
Class. Allen was only 2 years younger than my mom, but wow what an amazing Super Ager! I admired his wit, humor, and kindness. May you rest in eternal peace Allen.

Jackie Lim