Peter A. Cohen ’63

Born in Switzerland, Peter arrived in the United States as an exchange student in Great Falls, Mont., an eye-opening cultural experience that led him to Princeton and later to Harvard Business School. Experiences there were chronicled in his book, The Gospel According to the Harvard Business School. Harvard prepared him to lead a large and influential Swiss ad agency after the untimely death of his father.

At age 50, having stabilized the agency, Peter pursued his long interest in writing for the stage. Documentary plays, such as To Pay the Price, about the death of Yoni Netanyahu, older brother of the Israeli prime minister, and In the Name of God, about how personal faith was tested by the events of 9/11, were performed in the United States and Europe. His wry humor is evident in the title of his last play, about economic dystopia: Only a Complete Disaster Can Save Us Now.

An avid skier and sailor, he made regular trips from Massachusetts to Switzerland to visit his son, Daniel; daughter-in-law Alexandra; and granddaughter Eileen. He approached his cancer with optimism and curiosity, researching and advocating experimental treatments, guided by his trusted oncologist, Matthew Kulke ’87.

Peter died March 7, 2016, supported by his partner, Lydia Mongiardo; his family; and his many friends.