While many people search for the secret to living a long and happy life, one man has the answer. Recently, Buddy Cohen celebrated his 103rd year of life with friends and family at the life care retirement community where he resides in independent living – The Legacy Willow Bend in Plano. Cohen admits he never imagined living this long, but he and his children credit his longevity to his overwhelmingly positive nature and the optimistic attitude he has maintained over the years. After opening his own dentistry practice during The Depression and serving during World War II, his perspective was changed. He decided “not to sweat the small stuff” in life and simply to accept things as they happen. He taught his three daughters the importance of those concepts as well and has demonstrated a lifestyle free of complaining and free of regrets.
“Just taking it one day at a time and being able to say, ‘It is what it is,’ allows you to have a sense of peace about what happens around you,” said Cohen. “I told my kids to always do their best, which is the same thing my father told me. What’s the worst that could happen? Life goes on, and you handle what’s thrown at you when it comes.”
Cohen has a rich life story to tell. He served in the Fifth Army’s 85th Infantry Division, which freed more than 100 prisoners during WWII, and received the Bronze Star Medal for “Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against the Enemy” as part of the 339th Infantry Regiment. He went on to practice dentistry for a total of more than 50 years, and though never an athlete, Cohen competed in the Senior Olympics at age 97 and earned a medal. However, the plaques and medals that hang on his apartment walls at The Legacy Willow Bend are not what he considers his notable achievements in life.
“I have always been so proud of my kids,” said Cohen. “They’re all perfect to me and really are my greatest accomplishments. In fact, when looking for a wife, I specifically wanted to find someone who would be a great mother to our children. I certainly found that; we were a happy family.”
Among the many memories he has collected while living longer than a century, some of Cohen’s favorites are of his wife. He was married 47 years to “the most wonderful woman in the world,” as he describes her. Though she passed away about twenty years ago, Cohen stays active and social not only with their three daughters, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren who live nearby but with fellow members of The Legacy Willow Bend. He enjoys attending many of the programs and lectures the retirement community hosts, regularly has breakfast with a group of other men there and participates in chair yoga twice a week.
“He is amazingly alert and keeps up with what is going on in the news and in the world at large,” said Marilyn Rothstein, one of Cohen’s daughters and a member of the board of trustees of The Legacy Senior Communities. “He is absolutely inspirational and makes the best of all situations.”
Harriet Cohen, Buddy’s middle daughter agrees. She has always appreciated his sensitivity, compassion and acceptance towards others. She also loves that he has remained so good-humored over the years and is able to see the best in all people. The youngest of his daughters, Debbie Wills, believes that his dedication to physical activity and positive social interactions have contributed to his good health and long life. She remembers the way he always came home from work every evening, stopping just before he got to their house, walking around a few blocks to clear his head from the stress of the work day and then stepping inside to greet their mother with a kiss.
“I remember the strain I would feel from work at the end of each day, so I took a walk and got rid of that tension before I even stepped in the door to be with my family,” described Cohen. “I wanted that to be a pleasant time with my wife and kids, so I made sure that I let go of things before bringing it into our home. Besides, simply walking is really good for you in a lot of ways.”
Not many would say, after 100 years of living and seeing so many things, that “home” is their favorite travel destination, but Cohen believes that wholeheartedly. He still vividly recalls being on a ship coming back to the States at the end of WWII and describes that trip as the best travel experience he ever had.
“I looked around and could only see water and sky in every direction until I noticed a very tiny light,” said Cohen. “I finally realized that it was the Statue of Liberty, and I stood there in tears just looking at it, knowing that I was coming home and almost there.”
Now, his home is at The Legacy Willow Bend, and The Legacy Willow Bend hosted a special party for Cohen with musical entertainment by Eli Davidsohn. Many of his friends and family members came to enjoy the festive event with cake, balloons and his favorite candies, like Ghirardelli chocolates.
“We are inspired by Buddy’s persevering spirit and upbeat attitude toward whatever comes his way,” said Marilyn Israel, executive director of The Legacy Willow Bend. “We all can learn a lot from him about how to truly live well. He was among the first to move into The Legacy Willow Bend, and we are grateful to celebrate another year of his life here.”