Norman Kogan

Norman Kogan of Storrs, retired professor of political science at the University of Connecticut, died at the age of 91 on February 26, 2011. He was an expert on Italian government, politics, foreign relations, and modern history, providing in books, articles, seminars, and classes a clear-eyed analysis of Italy's perilous and fractious development in the decades following World War II. In 1971, he was awarded the title Knight in the Order of Merit by the government of Italy, and in 2005 he was given the first Career Achievement Award in the Field of Italian Politics and Society by the Conference Group on Italian Politics and Society. Professor Kogan was born in Chicago on June 15, 1919, the son of Fred and Esther Kogan. He served in World War II, supervising Italian prisoners of war who had volunteered to work with the Allies. Earning a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Chicago, he joined the University of Connecticut in 1949; he taught on the Storrs campus from 1950 to 1988 while also visiting Italy regularly with his loving wife Meryl and, when possible, their two children Richard and Frank. His beloved brother Marvin died in 1955. Along with his wife and sons, he is survived by his daughter-in-law Nan and his grandsons, David and Robert Kogan. He was passionate, strong, and infinitely patient, courteous, sweet, and devoted utterly to the search for truth. A memorial service will be held at Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic on April 2nd at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norman Kogan Fellowship Fund or to a local charity of one's choice. Checks may be made payable to The UConn Foundation, Inc. and forwarded to 2390 Alumni Drive Unit 3206, Storrs, Connecticut 06269. For online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome