CAT Tracks for May 8, 2003 THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN - KOHN TRAGEDY

CAIRO TEACHER KILLED BY COLLAPSED CHIMNEY

BY TIM PETROWICH
THE SOUTHERN
[Thu May 08 2003]

GRAND CHAIN -- A well-known and respected Cairo high school teacher was one of two people killed by a series of storms that ripped through extreme Southern Illinois Tuesday night.

Steve Kohn, 53, died at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday at his home. Pulaski County Coroner Lisa Tarpley said Kohn was trying to protect his 8-year-old son Danny during the storm when he was killed.

Tarpley said Kohn was lying on top of his son when the chimney in his home collapsed on the elder Kohn. Tarpley said the impact killed Kohn and injured his son. Both of Danny Kohn's arms were broken.

"I can't really determine the exact cause of death yet," Tarpley said. "He had several injuries."

Kohn was a computer science teacher at Cairo high school, and had taught there for 15 years. He had also taught U.S. history.

Kohn also was the chief negotiator for the Cairo Association of Teachers. As such, Kohn was involved in last year's strike by the CAT and the bargaining process with the Cairo school board. He also had served as a spokesman for the teacher's union in previous years, according to stories in The Southern Illinoisan's archives.

Ron Newell, the CAT president, fellow teacher and close friend of Kohn's, said the loss would weigh heavy on family, friends and the community.

"It's all been so sudden, everyone has been in shock," Newell said. "We're all going to miss him." Newell characterized Kohn as a dedicated father and teacher. He said Kohn was the kind of teacher who pushed kids to succeed.

"I think he was well-liked by the kids," Newell said. "I know he really liked the kids. He pushed them very hard in the area he loved, which was computers."

Newell said Kohn's interest in kids was evident with his own children. He said Kohn took an active role in making sure his children were able to participate in extracurricular activities.

Kohn had been strictly a computer science teacher for the past few years, but was slated to pick up some of the social studies curriculum next year because of cutbacks in the district.

Newell said Kohn went out of his way to make sure his students received the training they would need to pursue computer interests outside of school.

"He was very kid-oriented," Newell said.

Kohn's funeral arrangements are being handled by Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak.

tim.petrowich@thesouthern.com