Edwin "Ed" Cohen

Edwin Cohen, long-time Kalamazoo area resident and former CEO of Allen Testproducts, dies at 79.

After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Edwin Cohen, the former CEO of Allen Testproducts in Kalamazoo, MI, died with his family at his side on December 13, 2015. He was 79.

Ed was born July 20, 1936 in Fond du Lac, WI to Nathan and Ann Cohen. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1957 with a degree in business. After serving in the US Army, Ed began a career in the automotive industry, starting with Wells Manufacturing, followed by Bendix and then moving to Kalamazoo with Kal-Equip Company. Ed eventually became President and then CEO of Allen Testproducts, and led the company through significant growth during the 1980's and early 1990's until Allen Testproducts was acquired in 1993.

After retiring in 1993, Ed enjoyed living in Jupiter, FL and Malibu, CA, before he and his wife Linda moved to Richland, MI to live on Gull Lake. Ed was an avid boater, who also enjoyed horseback riding, traveling, rooting for the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with his family. Ed was a fun-loving, energetic and generous man, who especially treasured his wife Linda.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda (Speno) Cohen, his sons Bruce, Marc, Todd, and Richie Speno, his daughter Rachael (Cohen) Stroud, his nine grand-children and his faithful dog Bijou. Ed is also survived by his sisters Carolyn Schmith and Barbara Friedman, and his brother Myron Cohen.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D. Ave. (M-89), Richland, MI 49083. Ed will be buried at the Rienzi Cemetery in Fond du Lac, WI at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum @ donate.ushmm.org/page/s/tribute-card. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Ed may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.