Edward A. Cochrane, age 70 of Cave Creek, AZ passed away on March 23, 2018. Ed was born on November 30th, 1947 in Fremont, Nebraska, the firstborn child of Alexis Jean Cochrane and Mary Alice (Cawood) Cochrane. Ed is survived by his wife of 34 years Margie (Rubow) Cochrane, his three sisters, Jill Litchfield and husband Bruce, Shaun Bonn and Heidi Keller Cochrane, Uncles Jack Cawood and Ladd Cochrane and wife Dee, nephew BJ Cochrane and wife Lani and many cousins. Ed graduated high school in Dallas, Texas and enrolled at Steven F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Always the outdoors man, one of his cherished memories is summiting Mount Rainer. Ed spent several years in NW Arkansas spelunking his way through caves and then almost nine years in Telluride building stone fireplaces and back country snow shoeing. He also worked in both the cable and mortgage business and worked with his father at Hovland Swanson Cochrane in Lincoln, Nebraska. His father Alex played football for Nebraska, so Cornhusker Red was his favorite color, followed closely by Green Bay Packer green. Ed was a marvelous cook and enjoyed preparing meals for friends and family. A keen eye, he was always the photographer at every event. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 2nd 2018, 2pm at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary. 8555 E Pinnacle Peak Rd in Scottsdale, AZ. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sierra Club Foundation www.sierraclubfoundation.org
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Marty D. Thurman #214
Edward Alex Cochrane was my Big Brother when I pledged Phi Delta Theta in the fall of 1969 as a sophomore . Without Ed's support and counseling I would have had a hard time making it through pledgeship as more than half of my Phikeia Brothers did not make it . Ed was the kind of a person that one just naturally looked up to , as he had a very amiable personality , was extremely bright , a fantastic multisport athlete , and the life of every party that he ever attended . After i was initiated into the Fraternity as an Active , I roomed with Ed just off campus in a small house on Caroline Street . What a great time we had and i learned much more from Ed , as he enjoyed life to its fullest by taking each day one at a time . Some of my best memories in college were during that year . Phi Delta Theta in 1971 was by far the best Fraternity on campus and the friends I made then are still my best friends in life even almost 50 years later . Ed was a great positive influence on my life and on many others as well . He will be missed by many of his family and all of his Phi Delta Theta Brothers .
M. Thomas (Tommy) Mason #159
Brothers – Ed Cochrane was my best friend since 8th grade, and my roommate during our first 2 years of college at SFA. Our birthdays are 10 days apart! Our Bond numbers are sequential; I’m 159 and Ed was 160 from our pledgeship in spring of 1967. (BTW, since Bond numbers in those days were assigned by your semester GPA, Ed was last and I was next-to-last!) Marty Thurman was Ed’s little brother!
When Ed passed away in March of 2018, Brother Phil Broxson and I made the trip out to Arizona to attend his funeral. Two of his 3 sisters were there; and his wife Margie, whom he met in Colorado after college was super! From a man who attends far too many funerals these days, Ed was a special human being! He was the life of the party; he never met a stranger! May God rest his sole! Amen! --Tom Mason, Bond #159
M. Thomas (Tommy) Mason #159
Ed’s dad, Alex Cochrane, was president of the James K. Wilson men’s clothing stores in Dallas. He was All-American tight end at Nebraska (big hunkin’ farm boy from some little town). Mr. Cochrane was great! He was a member of the Salesmanship Club in Dallas and always had 50-yard line tickets to Cowboys FB games at the Cotton Bowl; we got to see all those great players from the mid-60’s (Bob Lilly, Too Tall Jones, Don Meredith (PDT Brother from SMU), Lee Roy Jordan, Bullet Bob Hayes, etc)!
Little known fact: Ed was named after his father, although he didn’t like to tell anyone (he thought it was sissy)! Ed’s full name was Edward Alexis Cochrane; but that’s not how he signed the Bond!
But that’s so Ed! What a character! In the summer before our freshman year, Ed read a book who’s main spy character was Mitch Slattery. And his favorite rock song “Devil with the Blue Dress On” was by Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels! So when we met some girls in the fall of 1966 (remember we couldn’t pledge until spring 1967), Ed struck up a great relationship with Karen Warren and introduced himself as “Mitch” Cochrane! They dated a long time before Karen found out his real name was Ed! Bill Livesay will remember!
Funny the things you remember a lifetime ago! --tm
M. Thomas (Tommy) Mason #159
Per Bill Livesay: "With all the accolades for Ed, no one commented on his shyness."
Jeff Wagner #456
I never met Ed but he seems like he was a great brother. God Bless!
Brad Fortney #198
I'll never forget his convertable land yacht. He was stylin'
Bill Livesay #135
I earlier referred to Ed's shyness but failed to provide evidence.
Stuart D. Thompson #136
I too was born in Nebraska in 1947. And My dad also played football for the the Huskers. In another coincidence my favorite team was Green Bay. It was great to read all the comments here about Ed, a great guy and brother,
James H. (Jim) Todd #133
Its been great to read all the memories about Ed "Roach" Cochrane the last few weeks. I livedfor a semester Spring 1968, in the" Pearl Street Penthouse" with Ed, Tom Heap, Tom Mason, Ken Peltier, and Mike Montgomery. Party Central with 3 bedrooms, a nice kitchen and dining room, A very large unfurnished living room(all mirrors on one wall). Great place!!
Tom and I were Cheerleaders, 1967-1968.(i admittedly one of the worst in SFA history!). We had a blast!SFA won Lone Star Conference Basketball in 68, and the team was scheduled to play a playoff game with St. Mary's in San antonio. The other cheerleaders 3 girls, and a guy decided they were not gonna go. Tom and I were all in but neither of us had a car that would make the trip.
No problem, Ed C had the maroon Riviera , and we talked him into taking us. Road Trip!!! With the able and ready assistance of our appointed road manager, Phil Broxson (he was old enough to buy beer, and we weren't), we set out. Yee Hah!!!
We had plenty of beer and snacks when we left,but rocked into New Braunfels Smokehouse and resupplied.I certainly dont remember all the details. Our brilliant solution to missing our 4 other cheerleaders? no problem! We brought an extra cheerleader uniform, and suited old Ed up!
We showed up at St. Mary's for the game, and Tom gave Ed a quick Cheerleader Seminar, A few cheers and moves....We're ready! Walked out on the floor for the game, and Lo and Behold! We are set up on the floor right in front of all the SFA leadership....Dean Samford, Dean Sininger, President Steen . et al. We were undaunted! We did a few cheers and chants, !! Alas SFA lost! "Roach" was a trooper!! None of the SFA brass ever said a word about the impostor!! A great memory of a one-of -a-kind Brother.
In Coelo Quies Est , "Roach" , YITB, Jim Todd#133
Gary Garrison #240
Ed talk me into not quitting. He convinced me not to let the ass holes best me. Much respect for him.