Funeral Details

Jeffrey “Jeff” Stephen Bohrman - dedicated husband, father of two, “Poppa” of four, a friend of so many, and inspiration to people worldwide - passed away on November 7th, 2022, at the age of 78 in Chicago, Illinois.

Jeff was born January 19, 1944 in Hackensack, NJ to Fred and Rhoda Bohrman. He spent his early schooling at Clarke School for the Deaf, a residential school in North Hampton, MA. By the time he reached middle school, his parents wanted him to attend the rigorous Germantown Academy in Philadelphia where his family lived at the time.

This began a lifelong journey of advocacy for people with disabilities. Germantown Academy was resistant to take him in because of his deafness, but with persistent persuasion by his parents, he was accepted and excelled as a student. At that time there were no accommodations made for his deafness. He carved out his own way by sitting in front of the class, reading lips, and sharing information with his classmates.

His academic pursuits were only beginning. Jeff went on to receive a B.S. in Biology from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA; an M.S from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy; an M.S. from the University of Illinois, Medical Center; and a Ph.D in Pharmacology-Physiology from the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA. He pursued all of this with the tremendous support of his family and wife, Evie, whom he married in 1970.

He spent the first half of his career in Cincinnati working for the federal government as a research toxicologist, developing a method to test workplace chemicals that cause skin cancer. However, it was after he completely lost his sight at the age of 45 that he could no longer continue his scientific pursuits.

As a relentless optimist, he shifted his professional course embarking as a true trailblazer and public inspiration for people all over the world.

After learning braille, sign language, and learning to navigate his new world without sight and hearing, he looked to support others who were in his newfound community. He was instrumental in establishing the Ohio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program at the Columbus Speech & Hearing Center, and the Ohio Association of the Deaf-Blind, a consumer advocacy/networking organization. Beginning in 1989, Jeff served in different capacities with the American Association of the Deaf-Blind (board member, president, first vice-president and treasurer.)

His work also encompassed mentoring young individuals with deafblindness, public speaking on deafblind awareness, teaching classes on interpreting at Columbus State, and in many other forums where he could give himself to others. He traveled worldwide for conferences in Thailand, Estonia, Finland, Columbia, and more. His reach was so widespread and profound that we’ll continue to learn of his impacts as his memories continue on.

Over the years Jeff has received numerous awards for his outstanding efforts in developing support and services for people who are deafblind. A few examples include the National Hall of Fame for People with Disabilities; Alice Cogswell Award from Gallaudet University; Distinguished Alumni of the Year from Dickinson College; Outstanding Leadership Award from the Ohio School for the Deaf; and others. Jeff has held memberships in the American Council of the Blind, the World Federation of the Deaf-Blind and on a number of advisory boards including the Ohio Center for Deafblind Education, and the Helen Keller National Center.

To know Jeff was to know his love of life. If you spent a few minutes with him, you’d get to experience a laugh that would fill a room. His tremendous sense of humor, ability to recall memories, tell an amazing story and simply to laugh at all the challenges life brought him were what made him loved by so many.

Above all his studies, contributions, accomplishments, and awards he’d say his greatest love was his family. His wife Evie, their two children Rebecca and David, grandchildren - Ellie, Isaac, Frances, and Bridger, and nieces and nephews - Allison, Evan, Casey, Jenny, and Amanda, and his brother, Freddy, and sister, Susan, were at the center of his heart at all times. He deeply enjoyed his “retirement” travels to spend time with family in Colorado, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and beyond.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Rhoda.

His story will live on, and memories will continue to grow, but he will be forever missed.

In his memory, a tribute donation can be made to an organization that meant so much to Jeff, Helen Keller National Center for the Deafblind, at Donate – Helen Keller Services, Development Office, 141 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York, 11050, www.helenkeller.org/donate.