Cohn L. Morrison

Cohn L. Morrison, 99, of Bountiful, Utah died on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009 in Bountiful.

He was born in Cloverdale on July 20, 1909 and was the son of the late William Everett and Cecil Hepler Morrison. He is lovingly remembered as a devoted husband, great friend and gifted teacher. Most importantly, he taught his family down to the fourth generation through love, gentle humor, patience and wisdom. His mind was keen to the last days, even as his strength ebbed.

Mr. Cohn grew up with the virtues of the American heartland -- hard work, independence, love of country, a thirst for education and gratitude for our freedoms. After completing his BA from DePauw University in 1931 and his MA in mathematics from Indiana University in 1935, Cohn taught science and math at Shortridge High School in Indianapolis.

He married his sweetheart Dema Maddox on Aug. 31, 1941.

With World War II looming, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was named director of training at the Preflight Bombardier-Navigator Schools and, as such, wrote the navigation textbooks and taught all flight crews headed to the European Theater. After the war, he remained active in the Air Force Reserves, retiring in 1969 as Colonel USAF.

In 1951, Cohn was granted his PhD in physics from the University of Cincinnati. He worked as a civilian in the Aeronautical Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, with a special interest in nuclear physics. He participated in military atomic weapons testing in the 1950s and became director of the Nuclear Engineering Test Facilities for the Air Force. He was also a 1957 graduate of the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology.

In 1960, Cohn was recruited as director of research and development for AMF, necessitating a move to Alexandria, Va. The family enjoyed the Washington, D.C. area for many years. After retirement, Cohn returned to his first love, teaching mathematics and physics at Northern Virginia Community College.

In 1978, he and Dema moved to Bountiful to be near their son and his family. Leisure permitted many wonderful years of family activities, golf and extensive travel throughout the United States and Europe. He and Dema belonged to the First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake, where they have continued many special friendships.

Cohn is survived by his wife Dema, their son Jim and wife Barbara, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Adrian L. Morrison.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Cloverdale, with visitation from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Burial will be in Cloverdale Cemetery.