obituaries
Somerset's 'Pioneer'
Esther Allweiss Ingber
I Contributing Writer
L
uring the 1960s, Biltmore
Development Co. acquired hun-
ip dreds of acres of Troy farmland
and created a major residential, commer-
cial and recreational development named
Somerset Park.
The development included two shop-
ping centers (what are now the Somerset
Collection at Coolidge and Big Beaver and
the Somerset Plaza a mile south), a golf
course and a more than 2,000-unit mul-
tiple housing complex.
It's always been a popular destination —
and a key member of the driving force was
Norman J. Cohen, Biltmore's then-executive
director and in-house counsel. At the time,
Biltmore included principals Bernard,
Phillip and Max Stollman and was part-
nered with Sam Frankel Associates.
"We were pioneers: Mr. Cohen had
noted. "We built apartments before any-
one had heard of Troy. Cows were grazing
across the street from Saks Fifth Avenue
the day the store opened" in 1967.
Distinguished as a leader in Southeast
Michigan residential development proj-
ects, Mr. Cohen, 88, was the retired
president/CEO of what is now Biltmore
Properties Corp. when he died on May 31,
2013, from complications of a stroke. The
acquisition and problem-solving, par-
Bloomfield Hills resident also had three
ticularly with government issues. He also
daughters and a happy, 48-year marriage.
included a tree preservation covenant in
Born in Detroit, Mr. Cohen was the
every set of restrictions. The Building
Industry Association (BIA) named him
son of Florence (Greenberg) Cohen of
Chicago and Harry Cohen, an attor-
1990's Developer of the Year. In 2002, he
ney from Pennsylvania. Generations of
entered the BIA Hall of Fame.
Mr. Cohen and the former Hellen
Cohens have affiliated with Temple Beth
El, now in Bloomfield Township, whose
Hartwick met at Stouffer's Northland Inn
clergy, Rabbi Daniel Syme and
in Southfield. She was wait-
ing in line while he dined at
Cantor Rachel Kalmowitz,
officiated at the June 2 funeral
the counter.
service.
"We were married nine
months later: Hellen said. "I
A Navy man at age 17, Mr.
loved him from the minute I
Cohen served on the USS
met him. And he loved me,
Saratoga in the Pacific dur-
ing World War II. In 1949, he
too:'
The Cohens lived in
graduated from University
of Detroit Law School. After
Southfield and then
Bloomfield Hills. Daughter
four years with Lawyers Title
Norman J . Cohen
Dr. Kerstyn "KC" Zalesin
Insurance Corp., he joined
Biltmore in 1952.
said her dad didn't like leav-
Over its nearly 100-year corporate his-
ing home much, and "hated to fly: but
tory, Biltmore and partners were involved once took the family to Israel and Europe.
in the purchase, sale and development
Kidded sometimes for being a "no-
of more than $1 billion of real estate,
frills" lover of basic cuisine, "Dad ordered
including developing more than 30,000
chicken without sauce even at a five-
rental apartments in 200 separate devel-
star restaurant in Paris: said daughter
Marilyn Howard.
opments and its numerous commercial
Mr. Cohen, a longtime member of
and industrial properties.
Much of the company's growth is
Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in West
attributed to Mr. Cohen's talent for land
Bloomfield, followed the major Detroit
sports teams and enjoyed playing tennis
and golf.
KC calls her dad "an old-fashioned
gentleman, who loved beautiful things,
picturesque settings, galleries and
museums:' At age 87, he took classes at
Oakland University.
Mr. Cohen was a philanthropist and
board member at Beth El and Hillel Day
School in Farmington Hills.
"Dad was hardworking, dedicated and
persuasive: KC said. "He was very analyt-
ical and handled every situation thought-
fully before he made a decision:'
Mr. Cohen is survived by his wife,
Hellen; daughters and sons-in-law, Julie
Kahn (Daniel E. Scully Jr.), Marilyn
Howard and Dr. Kerstyn "KC" (Lorne)
Zalesin; and grandchildren, Samantha,
Ryan, Ariel and Daniel.
He was predeceased by his sister and
brother-in-law, Elaine and Frederick
Sauve.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. Contributions may be made to
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
6735 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI
48301, (248) 642-4260, www.jewishdetroit.
org; Anti-Defamation League, www.adl.
org/donations.asp, (248) 353-7553; or to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements were
by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
❑
Surgeon, Teacher And Mentor
H
arry Herkowitz, M.D., of West
Bloomfield, chairman of ortho-
pedic surgery at Beaumont
Hospital, Royal Oak, died June 7, 2013,
following a heart attack.
An icon in the world of orthopedic sur-
gery, Dr. Herkowitz, 65, was also professor
and chairman of orthopedic surgery at
Oakland University William Beaumont
School of Medicine and physician leader
of Beaumont Health System's Orthopedics
Center of Excellence.
Dr. Herkowitz came to Beaumont in
1975 for his orthopedic residency, fol-
lowed by a fellowship in spine surgery,
which established his specialty and the
focus of his career for the next three
decades. He became chairman of the
Department of Orthopedic Surgery in
1991 and directed the spine surgery fel-
lowship program from 1987 to 2008.
He specialized in the surgical manage-
ment of spinal disorders including spinal
stenosis, herniated discs, deformity, and
trauma to the neck and back. His research
interests included degenerative solu-
tions to aging discs and improving spinal
implants.
"His legacy will be in his academic and
teaching role: said Jeffrey Fischgrund,
M.D., Beaumont orthopedic surgeon.
Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
"He started the first training program for
"He had the great goal of ensuring the
spine surgeons, and two generations of
highest-quality patient care while being
spine surgeons are carrying forward his
committed to the education of residents
legacy. If you made a tree of spine surgery, and encouraging research: says Jerome
all the branches lead to Harry Herkowitz."
Wiater, M.D., vice chief, Orthopedic
In 1991, Dr. Herkowitz published a
Surgery, Beaumont, Royal Oak. "He was
landmark study for treat-
everyone's mentor and a
ment of degenerative
friend to residents through
spondylolisthesis, a spinal
his career. He also loved
condition in which one ver-
being a father and was
tebra slips forward over the
proud of his family, and he
vertebra below. The study
extended that warmth to all
influenced much of the
of his colleagues. He encour-
research to the present day
aged all of us to be the best
and established Beaumont
we can:'
as an important institution
Dr. Herkowitz was hon-
regarding development of
ored
with an Outstanding
Dr. Harry H erkowitz
definitive treatments for that
Academic Excellence Award
condition.
by Beaumont in 2011. He
Dr. Herkowitz published dozens of
was also named among the 100 Best Spine
articles in peer-reviewed journals and
Surgeons in America and recognized by
presented at hundreds of conferences. He
Best Doctors in America.
also edited a dozen major textbooks on
Funeral services were held at Ira
the spine and served as editor or on the
Kaufman Chapel in Southfield with Rabbi
editorial board of major orthopedic and
Harold Loss of Temple Israel in West
spine journals.
Bloomfield officiating.
He was a graduate of Wayne State
In his eulogy, Rabbi Loss noted that
University School of Medicine and
Dr. Herkowitz "influenced generations
completed a spine surgery fellowship at
of physicians: quoting a colleague of the
revered doctor and mentor who said, "He
created the path. ... It was always, 'Follow
me:"
Dr. Herkowitz's children Seth and
Rachael also spoke at the funeral, tell-
ing of their love and admiration for their
father.
"Words cannot express how proud I am
of you: said Rachael. "There is no greater
father.
"Your legacy, spirit and soul will live
eternally though your children:'
Dr. Harry Herkowitz was the beloved
husband of Jan Herkowitz; cherished
father of Seth (Laura) Herkowitz and
Rachael Herkowitz (fiance Michael
O'Toole); devoted son of Susan Herkowitz
and the late Irving Herkowitz; son-in-Law
of David and Phyllis Ballantyne; brother-
in-law of James Ballantyne; loving grand-
son of the late Helene Lenzner.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the Beaumont Foundation, Dr. Harry
Herkowitz Fund, 3711 W 13 Mile
Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, (248) 551-
5330, www.foundation.beaumont.edu .
Arrangements were by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
❑
Obituaries on page 68
Obituaries
June 13 • 2013
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