MORRIS COHEN

Morris Cohen (Morrie, Moe), age 91, originally from Indianapolis, passed away in Rockville MD on October 15, 2019.  He was a Navy Veteran, serving as a Medical Corpsman with the First Marine Division in North China at the end of WWII.  A graduate of Indiana University, he received his Master's Degree from the University of Pennsylvania.  His principle area of specialty was with older Americans in a variety of settings at the community, state, and federal levels.  He was a major planner in the establishment of the first Indianapolis Senior Citizens Center and became the Director.  He also served as Executive Director of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Center, and President of Etz Chaim Congregation of Indianapolis. Mr. Cohen served by appointment from the Governor of Indiana on the Indiana Commission for the Aging.  In the late 1960's, he accepted a position with the newly created US Administration on Aging (AOA) a Division of Health and Human Services in Washington DC.  He was a Specialist on Aging in the Field of Senior Centers. While there, Mr. Cohen helped open numerous Area Agencies on Aging around the country at the Federal Level.  He received a number of awards for his work in Washington DC, most notably, setting up the groundwork for the implementation of the National Nutrition Program for the Elderly, and more specifically "Meals on Wheels", the home-delivered meals program. For several years, he was a professor at Catholic University where he taught graduate courses in social work. 

He retired from the Federal Government in 1988. While retired, he worked as a medical social worker in Home Health Care and hospital settings in the St. Petersburg, Florida area, where he lived for over 25 years.

Mr. Cohen belonged to many organizations including AARP, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.  He was a charter member of the National Association of Social Workers. He enjoyed traveling the world, volunteering and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his beloved  children, Reina Sprankle (Ken), Lois Kramer (Marty), Sam Cohen (Mitz), his amazing grandchildren, Jason Sprankle (Heather) , Eric Kramer (Lucia), Josh Kramer (Emily), Kyle Sprankle, Bria Kramer and Andrew Batiduan (Hannah), and his 2 great grandchildren, Noah Kramer and Dylan Sprankle.  

Funeral arrangements have been made by Aaron, Ruben and Nelson Funeral Home and the Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, October 20 at Etz Chaim Cemetery, West St (south of Raymond), Indianapolis IN at 1:30pm. 

Donations in his name may be made to the Etz Chaim Congregation, Indianapolis, IN. or the charity of your choice.