David Cohen – Wisconsin High School

August 21, 1942 — March 7, 202

David B. Cohen, 83, of Fond du Lac, died Saturday, March 7, 2026, at St. Agnes Hospital with family by his side. He was born in Madison on August 21, 1942, to Dr. Philip and Rubye (Tepper) Cohen. On July 26, 1969, David married Wanda Cheevers at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in North Fond du Lac.

Dave went to University of Wisconsin High School in Madison. He attended Beloit College where he graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor’s degree in social studies/secondary education. He later went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he completed his Master’s in History.

He began his teaching career in Merrill, Wisconsin before moving to North Fond du Lac. Along with his high school teaching career, Dave was instrumental in starting a wrestling program in 1966. He was honored fifty years later through the initiation of the Dave Cohen Wrestling Classic in 2016. He also served as an assistant football coach and head coach of the cross country team. In addition, he refereed track and field events. Later in his career, he served as athletic director for North Fond Lac and later, Oakfield High School. He was given a great honor through his induction to the North Fond du Lac Athletic Hall of Fame. Dave took great satisfaction in his day to day interactions with the thousands of students he helped guide toward their future endeavors. He was also immensely proud of the many alumni who he was able to keep in contact with long after their high school journey had been completed.

Outside of education, Dave spent numerous summers working at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) during their annual AirVenture event. He was most proud of having the opportunity to coach both of his sons and grandsons in the sport of wrestling. He served his church community as a member of the Presentation BVM School Board as well as both distributing communion and reading scripture as a lector. Dave was a charter member of the NFDL Optimist Club. He took on the role of advisor to the NFDL High School Key Club to serve the community through volunteer endeavors.

Among his interests were outside landscaping projects, family vacations during the summer, and trips with his wife to Door County. Dave faithfully followed several Badger sports as well as the Cubs and Packers.

Please donate to the Wisconsin Wrestling Association via the following link:

https://wwca.wildapricot.org/Donate

Survivors include his wife, Wanda; sons, Mark Cohen of Germantown, and Pete Cohen (Jennifer Jones) of North Fond du Lac; two grandsons, Nathan Usher, and Nicholas Cohen; siblings, Dr. Philip (Jennifer Allen) Cohen of Madison, Dr. Milton (Niki Yoshinaga) Cohen of Portland, OR, and Julie (John) Anderson of Bend, OR; and two sisters-in-law, Christine Cheevers (husband, Vince), and Carol Cheevers. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Roger Cheevers.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 705 Michigan Ave. in North Fond du Lac with the service to follow, beginning at 11:00 AM. Cremation has taken place.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com

David Cohen
Received June 15, 2010

WISCONSIN HIGH 50TH REUNION

Married: Wanda

Son: Mark (38)

Son: Pete (35) married with 2 children

Older brother Pete (class of 1958) moved back to Madison a few years ago and got married in 2008.

Younger sister Julie (class of 1962) and younger brother Milt (class of 1965) still live in the state of Oregon and have married children and grandchildren.

Since I “retired officially” in 2001 after thirty-six years of teaching, I have been working as Athletic Director, substitute teacher, and assistant wrestling coach for the Oakfield School District, just outside of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Wanda and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary last July and we both continue in good health. Our older son, Mark (38), lives in Germantown and works for the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District as a Media Specialist and Computer Teacher. Our younger son, Peter (35), lives in North Fond du Lac and works at Quad Graphics. Pete and his wife, Michelle, have two children, Nathan (11) and Nicholas (5). Since they live so close, the boys spend a lot of time at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Like most grandchildren, they are a great joy in our lives!

Since my entire adult life has been a connection with high school and middle school students, I sometimes feel like I never left high school. Working with today’s students and student-athletes continues to be enjoyable and I think it helps keep me “young”!

We are looking forward to the August reunion and sharing some memories!

Wisconsin High School

55^th Reunion – July 24 – 25, 2015

Received: June 30, 2015

At our reunion in 2010, I made the comment that I felt like I had never left high school and I don’t think that has changed much. Last winter I enjoyed my fiftieth year of coaching high school wrestling –- a milestone I am very proud of. I still coach in the fall (Middle School Cross Country), wrestling in the winter, and officiate track meets in the spring. During the school day I am on call as a substitute teacher.

Our younger grandson, Nick, is entering sixth grade and making the transition to Middle School, including participating in Cross Country. So now I am “Coach Grandpa” as well as Coach Cohen. Because of his parent’s work situation, Nick is with us several days each week and his presence is a great joy. He is a good student. His older brother, Nathan just turned sixteen and is now driving to support his summer job and working to support his driving. He will be playing football in the fall.

Wanda and I do not do a lot of traveling, but we enjoy trips to Door County, Upper Michigan, and Wrigley Field (our son has purchased Cubs tickets as Mothers / Fathers Days gifts for the past two years).

TO MY 1960 CLASSMATES: My regrets that I am not able to join you for this year’s reunion. I hope all continue in good health and look forward to joining you in 2020.

Wisconsin High School

60th Reunion – September 17, 2020

BIO: Dave Cohen

Received: September 9, 2020

In July of 2019 Wanda and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with a family gathering. At the end of February, I completed my 55th season of coaching high school wrestling and it has not yet stopped being enjoyable to work with high school student-athletes. It was a greater joy as our grandson began wrestling as a sophomore and had a successful season as well as being an outstanding student. Our older son, Mark, teaches in the Germantown school system and our younger son, Peter, works in the Engineering department at Quad Graphics.

Since 2002 I have been connected with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh. Although this year’s AirVenture was cancelled I am continuing to work as a security supervisor. In spring I officiate high school and middle school track.

Wisconsin High School

65^th Reunion – October 2, 2025

BIO: David Cohen

In 2022 I was honored by induction into the North Fond du Lac High School Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of service as a coach, athletic administrator and sport official between 1966 and 2022.