Donald S. Cohen ’56

Donald S. Cohen ’56, of Pasadena, Calif.; Jan. 9. He was one of the first faculty members recruited for Caltech’s newly formed applied mathematics program in 1965, earning tenure in 1971. His research covered a variety of topics, including early work in the theory of reaction-diffusion equations and later on nonlinear differential equations, pattern formation, stability, and bifurcations that had a significant impact on mathematical biology and chemical engineering. At Caltech he was a popular teacher who received awards for undergraduate teaching excellence in 1979, 1987, and 1998. In 2000, he was awarded the Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching. He served as the executive officer of applied mathematics from 1988 to 1993 and was chair for the Division of Engineering and Applied Science in 1990. He also served as chairman of the faculty from 1983 to 1985 and from 1986 to 1987 he chaired the faculty advisory committee of the Caltech Board of Trustees. In 1998 he was named Charles Lee Powell Professor of Applied Mathematics. He retired in 2003. He was a member of numerous organizations, including the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the American Mathematical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. From 1993 to 1995, he was the director of the Center for Nonlinear Studies at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He is survived by his wife Natalie and daughter Susan Cohen ’89, ’91 AM.