Matthew Todd Cohan, M.D.

In Loving Memory of Matthew Todd Cohan

April 3, 1955 – January 12, 2025

It’s with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Matthew Todd Cohan, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, physician, and friend. Matt left this world on January 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his wife and children.

Born on April 3, 1956, Matt grew up in Yonkers, New York, where his boundless curiosity and love for learning took root. That love shaped his lifelong passion for books, science fiction, and storytelling—so much so that as a kid, he even taught himself Elvish from The Lord of the Rings.

Matt’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted husband to Barbara Cohan for over 44 years, whom he met through an introduction by his mother. Together, they built a home filled with warmth, laughter, and love. As a father, he cherished his daughters, giving the best hugs, reading them his favorite books, and always making time for games, walks, and piggyback rides. As a grandfather, he embraced every moment—playing, exploring, and making memories his grandbabies will hold dear forever.

His career as a pediatrician in the greater Sacramento area was more than a job—it was his calling. He loved his patients deeply, ensuring that every child in his care felt seen, heard, and valued. He was one of the last doctors to continue making house calls, dedicating himself to the well-being of every family he served. He had a special place in his heart for the toughest cases, always researching and learning to give his patients the very best care.

Outside of medicine, Matt lived life with joy and passion. He loved golfing, skiing, cooking Italian food, floating in the pool with a good beer and a great book, and movie nights—even if it meant watching The Mummy three times because he kept falling asleep at the same spot. He was a devoted Giants baseball fan and never passed up the chance to talk Civil War history or JFK conspiracy theories. He could quote The Godfather effortlessly, and his philosophy on life could be summed up in one of his favorite lines: “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”

Matt was also deeply rooted in his Jewish faith and community. He and his family were active members of Congregation B’nai Israel in Sacramento, and he was a beloved doctor at URJ Camp Newman, where his kindness and wisdom left a lasting impact.

To know Matt was to know warmth, kindness, and goofiness in equal measure. His presence filled every room with love, his laughter was infectious, and his dedication to his family was unwavering. He was the dad who traveled for work but never forgot to bring a matching doll for his daughters, the man who floated in the pool to the sounds of Bob Marley, the father who beamed with pride at father-daughter dances, and the friend who enjoyed a good cigar in the backyard with those he loved most.

Matt is survived by his beloved wife, his daughters, Jordan (Jeremy), Rebecca (Dan), Meghan (Daniel), his grandchildren, Madelyn, Jason, Jackson, Emmett and Sophie, and a wide circle of family, friends, and grateful patients whose lives he touched. He is now reunited with his parents, Iris and Howard Cohan, and the many loved ones who passed before him. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sun City Roseville on April 4, 2025 at 12pm, where all are welcome to come share stories, laughter, and the love that Matt brought into the world. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization close to the family’s heart.