A&M space pioneer dies

Aaron Cohen, pioneer of the shuttle program and former director of the Johnson Space Center died Feb. 25.  

Cohen died of prostate cancer at 79 in College Station.

Mechanical engineering professor William Schneider, who worked with Cohen at NASA, recalled a moment when Cohen spoke to a group of seniors about the reason companies value Aggie engineers.

“He pointed out that it was not their top quality engineering ability, or good looks but rather the reputation of an Aggie engineer.  Their character, their honesty and their personal integrity,” Schneider said.

He said it was the Aggie Engineers who were responsible for this fine reputation, and it was now their responsibility to go out into the world and continue the Aggie
engineer reputation.

John Junkins, professor of aeronautical engineering, said Cohen was a great friend and an asset to the Aggie community.

“He [was] a man who developed lifelong friends, I am proud to be one of them,” Junkins said, “Aaron’s unambiguous love for Texas A&M was made clear by his return to teach for seven years following retirement from his storied NASA career.  He excelled at teaching design and made a lasting impact on a generation of Aggies.”

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