Robert Cohen, Maine Township emergency management director, dies at 65

Robert Cohen, who rose through the ranks to become Maine Township's director of the Office of Emergency Management, died earlier this week while he was out of town in Kentucky on personal business, officials said.

Cohen, 65, of Des Plaines, became a volunteer for the township in 1991, then a part-time employee in 1994, before being named interim director of the township's Emergency Management Agency in 2002. He spent more than 45 years in disaster response and preparedness.

"A dedicated employee who has served our township for more than 20 years, he will be deeply missed not only by his fellow staff members, but also by the citizens of Maine Township that he assisted so well in times of disaster and emergency," said Supervisor Carol Teschky in a news release.

Dagmar Rutzen, chief deputy director of operations for the agency, will assume the role of acting director.

Memorial visitation is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St. in Des Plaines.