Robert Cogen: ‘A long life of adventuring, creating and helping others’
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Sklar Cogen, 89, on the morning of May 28, 2024. He died from the effects of the devastating stroke he suffered many years ago. With great determination, he fought until the end to regain what he had lost and continued to make the most of what he had. Robert had a long life of adventuring, creating and helping others, but the bailing wire and duct tape could not hold him together any longer. He was many things in his long life: herpetologist, lawyer, artist, kinetic pilot, writer, gourmet, naturalist, overall scientist, poet, scuba diver, tour guide and educator. Robert lived life to the fullest. For those of us who were family, he leaves a hole that cannot be filled. We honor his memory by living our lives with joy and a spirit of adventure.
He is survived by his wife Christine (Curtis), his daughter Amy Berkowitz and her husband Cliff, daughter Karen North, grandsons Alexander Berkowitz, Michael Berkowitz, Brian North, and granddaughter Mallory North. Also sisters-in-law Kimberly Swan, Deborah Schwartz Lipke (Randy), Lindarose Bruce (James), Terri Douglas (Ross), niece Jessica Swan-Purchio (Cameron) and many other nieces and nephews. Robert was predeceased by his parents Harry and Dena Cogen, his sister Suzanne Cogen and close friends David Walker and Peter Presnell.
Our deepest gratitude to Frye’s Care Home, Redwood Coast PACE, and Hospice of Humboldt for their exceptional and thoughtful care; and to his faithful friend, John Porter, who brought so much happiness to Robert at their Monday evening get togethers.
Earlier: Robert Cogen: He Created a Piece of Humboldt’s History
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A very intelligent man who was not afraid to be different.
Robert was a great guy! I met him when I worked the courthouse and he always had time to stop and talk to me.
Went on a Scuba trip with “Coogs” off the coast of Burma( now Myanmar) to some islands he got special permission from the Burmese government to visit. A spectacular life changing trip and a special time to spend with this “ahead of his time” man.My condolences to family and friends❤️
He was the “go-to” weed lawyer in the ’70’s.
He got me off from a misguided midnight adventure
(illegal search and seizure), and offered the sage advice: “Only transport at High Noon.”
Cool dude…
I only had a few brief, positive encounters with Robert but he was definitely memorable. Condolences to his family and friends.
One of Bob’s more interesting cases is chronicled in a long book (can’t remember the name) written by Ed Parsons that follows, what I recall, was a novel argument that cannabis grown with indica seeds was not illegal because the statute only made canabis grown with sativa seeds illegal. It’s a long read but great story regarding Bob’s cleverness and of the way things used to be. Condolences to the family.
Robert helped me with a legal bummer early on in my Humboldt Experience. He was looking for a pro bono case in service to his core beliefs of helping people. I will never forget him. He epitomized, personified, and exemplified the very finest attributes of his Jewish heritage. In his early career, he initiated the “species defense”: since only Canabis sativa was specified in the statute, Canabis indica was exempt. That oversight was corrected, but current events and JUSTICE have proven Robert on the correct side of history. Set the timer: I will believe in God for ten minutes, long enough to say a prayer for Robert Cogen. Thank you, Robert.
I had the pleasure of sharing a ride from Robert’s home to Sid’s in Trinidad,
on Wednesdays for poker.
That drive was fun, to and fro; his mind was always clicking, and I looked forward to Wednesdays. He will be missed.