Hermann Harry Kosak

Born in Vienna, Austria, Hermann was the son of Cecilia Kosak Kaplan and Solomon Selzer. Mr. Kosak graduated from the Royal Academy of Art in Brussels, Belgium in 1945.

He and his sister Margit Kaplan, who preceded him in death, were survivors of the Holocaust. They immigrated together to the United States in 1947, where he was soon drafted into the U.S. Occupation Army. He was then stationed in Tokyo, Japan as an MP officer.

While later stationed in Battle Creek, Michigan, he met and married Katherine Brownell. They were married for 64 years.

Hermann earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He was on the faculty of Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan. In 1969, they and their four children moved to Athens, where Hermann took a position at the UGA in the School of Journalism as Head of Graphic Design and Photography. He also created his own camera-repair business. Hermann was a life-long talented painter and taught private painting classes.

Survivors include his wife and four children: son, David from Denver, CO; son, Philip (Cheer) from High Point, NC; daughter, Andree (Ron Schwartz) of Athens, GA; and daughter, Kay (Ira Abrams) from Garrett Park, MD. Hermann and Katherine were also blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m. at Congregation Children of Israel. Burial will follow in the Congregation Children of Israel section at Oconee Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604; Congregation Children of Israel, 115 Dudley Drive, Athens, GA 30606; or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024.

Online condolences may be offered at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.