Pace Setter : March 2024

Don Cohen: HMRRC’s Gentle Giant

by Tom Bulger

One of the most beloved members of HMRRC died January 2 (2024), the genial Donald Robert Cohen (Don).   He will be sorely missed not only by the running world, but by his religious companions at Ohav Shalom, his teammates on the University at Albany (UAlbany) basketball team, his students and colleagues at SUNY-Cobleskill, and most deeply missed by his family. There was no community he was part of that doesn’t mourn the loss of Don.

Don first made a name for himself as a distinguished student-athlete at UAlbany.   Unlike current times when the description of student-athlete is used far too loosely, Don excelled both in the classroom and on the basketball court.   His academic prowess led him to get a Ph.D. in Math at UAlbany, and his basketball prowess under the guidance of the legendary Doc Sauers, resulted in him setting rebound records that still stand today, and getting an induction into the UAlbany Athletic Hall of Fame. He might well have been the model for Rick Barry’s unorthodox underhand free-throw shooting. His rebounding records included: career 1,317 (1957-61), single season 462, and average 16.5 rebounds a game (1960-61).  All basketball records verified and provided by Bill Meehan. As Bill also says,  it’s hard to imagine the 16.5 rebounds per game record will be broken.

Once Don got married to Susan, his athletic interests turned to her sport, distance running.   Don completed two marathons, but he was widely known in the running community for his generous assistance to those putting on events. He was especially helpful to Al Maikels for years at the Corporate (Workforce Team) Challenge.  He of course was a one-man support crew for Sue when she was competing so successfully as well.

After Sue’s tragic accident in which she lost a leg, Don took over the caregiver role without any complaints or reservations. Don embraced the “for better or worse” vow fully. He was a pillar of strength to Sue and his family.

Don considered himself fortunate when he found Lennie and married her as his second wife. He also was proud of the strength and love of his family.

Don had many friends in the running community.  One was John Aronson.  John recalls his many runs with Don and the Willow Street gang.   He also shared the following story.

“In 1989 Don and Susan visited their son, a student at the University of Arizona at the time, and Don and I went for a run in the street and alleys of Tucson. We passed the university track stadium and paused to talk with one of the track coaches, who convinced me to become a track and field official at the University, where I was then on the faculty.  This is now my 35^th year, and I fondly remember the many miles I ran with Don and his wife Susan.”

Another close friend was Paul Rosenberg.  He recalled the following.

“For many years, Don and Susan, John Aronson and some others from around Willow Street (pre-Willow Street Athletic Club) would come to watch the NYC Marathon at my apartment in Albany. I cherished those yearly gatherings.  Don certainly belongs in the top ten of nicest guys in the world.  Between his helping at numerous races and other events in the community and his warmth and caring, Don was a pillar of our community.”

Ed Neiles also knew Don well, and he contributed the following comments.

“Susan Cohen was a very close friend of Linda Basinait.  They both taught math at Guilderland High School.   Both Linda and Susan were competitive bridge tournament players together.  Not a surprise they did quite well in many of these tournaments.  Steve Basinait and Don also played bridge, but the two wives were superior to the guys.

In addition to college basketball and running, Don was also an excellent tennis and squash player.   Warren Roberts (history professor at SUNY) and Don played many tennis matches at the SUNY tennis courts and socialized off the court on occasion too. Warren was a very competitive player, Don was just as good as Warren and they both battled in some long matches.

In preparation for Don’s marathons he logged 100+ mile weeks for several months, often in the company of Steve Basinait.  If memory serves me well, he ran a sub 3:05 marathon.  Don was a big man better suited for tennis or basketball but he didn’t let that fact deter him from giving the marathon his full attention.”

Mike McCarthy  also had fond memories of Don to share.

“The years that the club sponsored the national 30-K championships Don coordinated housing for the out of state runners.  It was a time of great comradeship and led to interesting evening discussions and friendships.  Don worked hard at the task and did a superb job of matching out of state runners with local families.  It was a time that I remember with fondness and cherish which no longer exists today and Don made it happen.”

From Pat Glover and Steve Basinait.

“Don made many friends in HMRRC.  Don was never boastful of his many accomplishments, and was very modest.  He hardly ever used the pronoun “I”.   He also had an engaging wit that brought lots of laughter and joy to life.    I was not a close friend of Don’s, but I always appreciated his upbeat attitude and sense of humor.  I am going to end with a story that demonstrated to me Don was both smart and funny.

At one of the Freihofer's Run For Women race, Bob McFarland (assistant to UAlbany’s president) and I were trying to untangle a rope with flags at the finish.   Don strolled by, and laughed at our predicament.  In his dry faculty wit, he said, “How many academic administrators does it take to straighten out a rope?”  (At the time, I was dean of the Arts Division at Siena College.)   Substitute a lightbulb to straighten out a rope. It was hilarious and spontaneous, and Bob and I still retell the story.”

Don was an exemplary human being, and he will always be remembered as such.   Rest in peace, Don.

 

Tom Bulger (tbulger@nycap.rr.com) of Menands is retired from Siena College’s English Dept. His first coaching experience was two years under Bob Reilly for Siena men’s cross-country, then founder/coach of Siena women’s cross-country, and first coach of Willow Street Athletic Club. Tom has run 20 marathons with a 2:28 best time.

---