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George H. Cohen

February 03, 1924 - May 17, 2016

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Obituary For George H. Cohen

February 3, 1924 - May 17, 2016

Cohen, George H. Age 92, on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

He was preceded in death in 2014 by his beloved wife of almost 70 years, Doris Mae Hilliard. Born in State College, Pennsylvania on February 3, 1924, he graduated from State College High School in 1941. He was an Eagle Scout in Troop 4 of State College. During WWII he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served as a 1st Lieutenant for the 393rd Bomb Squadron, part of the 509th Composite Group. He was assigned to the B29 "Top Secret" and participated in both Atomic Missions. He was in the back up B29 for the Enola Gay for the Hiroshima Mission on August 6, 1945 and advance weather B29 for the Nagasaki Mission on August 9, 1945. He earned the Air Medal of Valor, his Wings as Flight Engineer, and recognition for serving in the American and Pacific Theaters. Following the war he earned a Bachelor and Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State and served as the Marshall for the College of Engineering at graduation. In 1952 he attended the School of Reactor Technology in Oak Ridge, Tennessee; one of only twenty people selected from around the country to attend. He worked at General Electric for the US Navy in Hamilton, Ohio for two years. After that he moved to Pittsburgh, PA to work at Bettis Atomic Power Lab, Westinghouse, where he spent the rest of his working days. Major accomplishments at Bettis included designing nuclear reactors for the submarine USS Skate and the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. He is survived by a sister, Mary Cohen of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI and children Linda Stern of Arivaca, AZ, Louise Victor (Richard) of Boalsburg, PA, Lisa Reynolds (Bob) of Pittsburgh, Lorraine Puharic (Tony) of Woodbridge, VA and Lucille Marze (Mike) of Pittsburgh. Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were son Lawrence Cohen of Fremont, CA and daughter Laurel Cohen of Pittsburgh. George was an avid skier who skied until he was 80. One of his favorite activities was building computers. Visitation was private. Arrangements handled by the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, 15227. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Baldwin Community United Methodist Church, 5001 Baptist Road, Pittsburgh PA 15236.

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  • December 11, 2019

    I worked with George for several years at the end of his Bettis career. He help my group design and build several major items of examination equipment for the ECF hot cells and water pits. He was a sensitive and wonderful person and a great golf partner.

  • December 11, 2019

    Very sorry to learn of your family's loss. George and I were in different groups within the same project at Bettis during the late 1960s and much of the 1970s. I met with him many times. As best I recall, he NEVER mentioned his WW2 service (not uncommon for WW2 vets). I had no idea. The Eagle Scout thing, however -- I would have guessed he had reached that rank ... if I'd ever thought about him being a scout.

  • December 11, 2019

    I am very sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Cohen. With his accomplishments, and dedications, both in his professional life and personal one, he was an amazing man! I won't pretend to know what you're going through, but what has helped me deal with the loss of those I love is turning to the Scriptures, something that has been a real source of comfort. One Scripture that gives me hope is John 5:28, 29 which says, " Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out ." I hope that this verse will also comfort you and, I hope you and your family can get through this difficult time. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your beloved father, grandpa and friend. Sincerely, Meryl