OBITUARY Sheldon S. Cohen June 28, 1927 – September 4, 2018 On September 4, 2018, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Beloved husband of Faye F. Fram, of blessed memory, loving father of Melinda (Alberto Goetzl), Laura (Perry Apelbaum), Jonathan (Ann Kayrish), and Sharon (Michael Liebman), and devoted grandfather to ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Gerald (Joanne) Cohen and sister, Barbara (Dick) Wolf.
A proud native Washingtonian and graduate of DC public schools, he was a World War II Naval veteran. Sheldon was one of the world’s leading tax attorneys. Devoted to public service, he served as Chief Counsel and then Commissioner of the IRS under Lyndon B. Johnson, becoming the youngest person to hold that position.
He created the first presidential blind trust. He also had an extensive career in private practice, including founding the law firm of Cohen & Uretz. He served as general counsel to the Democratic National Committee and litigated the successful Watergate civil suit.
He advised many countries on their tax systems, was a founder of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations, and was a senior fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He traveled on UN special missions to advise developing countries on tax systems, including meeting with Nelson Mandela post-apartheid. He vetted the tax returns of numerous Democratic presidential and vice presidential candidates, set up the Presidential Commission on Debates as a nonprofit, was a frequent author and speaker on tax policy and ethics, and often testified on Capitol Hill.
He taught at his alma mater, George Washington University Law School as well as Howard and Miami (FL) law schools. He was involved with myriad policy and community organizations, including serving as president of the Jewish Social Service Agency, president of the Order of the Leaf of Camp Airy, chair of the American Jewish Historical Society, trustee and chair of the GW Board of Trustees, founder and trustee of the United Jewish Endowment Fund, founding member and Treasurer of the Supreme Court Historical Society, and trustee of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Adas Israel Congregation. His family is steeped in his oft said adage, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”.
Funeral service on September 7 at 10 am at Adas Israel Congregation, 2850 Quebec Street, NW, Washington, DC. Burial at 1 pm at the Garden of Remembrance, 14321 Comus Road, Clarksburg, Maryland. Family will receive guests immediately following the burial at the home of Melinda Cohen.
Family will receive guests on September 8 at 6:30 pm at the home of Laura Apelbaum. Contributions may be made to Camp Airy/Louise at www. airylouise.org/give/ (Camp Airy Activity Fund) or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Hines-Rinaldi, 301-622-2290.
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