Vivian Kogan (Benn)was born at about 2:00am in a Cairo, Egypt maternity clinic during an air raid. True to form, she died railing against the undermining of our nation's democracy, virtues, and values by the autocrat in the White House. She had struggled with breast cancer for 7 years and passed away at 4:00pm on July 17, 2018 at home with the love of her family surrounding her.

She was born October 21, 1940 in Cairo, Egypt. How did the daughter of Israel Kogan, her Ukranian father and Mania Kogan (nee Koslovsky), her Lithuanian mother end up in Egypt? Her father's family fled the Russia and Ukraine pogroms of the early 1900's and, as told in her mother's memoirs, her mother's family fled the ravages of World War I in stages in what turned out to be a long, adventure filled voyage that ended in Egypt. Her mother and father met there some years later, married, and had three children: Charles, Vivian, and Sheila.

In 1948, life for Jewish families in Arab countries became unsafe during the Israel War of Independence. Vivian and her family left for France where they lived for a year. They returned to Egypt to try to reclaim some of their property. Unfortunately, anti-Semitism increased with the rise of Abdel Nasser and nationalism. Their family property and financial assets were confiscated by the government and they were forced to abandon Egypt under great duress. The family managed to emigrate to the United States where they had to adapt to a new, completely different kind of lifestyle. They settled south of Chicago in Park Forest, Illinois in 1950. Vivian proudly became an American citizen in 1956.

After becoming a National Merit Scholar, Vivian received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College followed by a Doctorate in Philosophy from Brown University. She began her teaching career at Dartmouth College in 1969. She was one of the first female members of the faculty and continued her career there until she retired in 2012.

Professor Kogan taught French Literature and language. She was bilingual having spoken French at home and having been educated in both French and English schools in Cairo and later in Paris. At Dartmouth, she was a highly respected teacher, her courses - lively and demanding - stressed critical thinking as well as precision of expression. She often chaired the Committee on Standing (C.O.S.) and was a longtime advisor to the Foreign Study Programs in France. She directed student groups in Toulouse, Paris, as well as Quebec City. Some of her fondest memories and longtime friendships were formed on these programs. She was honored that so many past students have kept in touch over the years, as one of her students who graduated Summa Cum Laude with a major in Science and a minor in French wrote "I found the courses I took with you to be among my most enriching and rewarding at Dartmouth". Many thanked her for developing their ability to read texts and for adding to their understanding of literature and its importance in interpreting the world around them.

In addition to her passion for teaching, Vivian focused intensely on her research. She started with studying 20th century literature. She published and became known for her work on the experimental literature of the author and poet Raymond Queneau. Her interests evolved into a fascination for the French historiography of the 19th century and the prolific nineteenth century historian/author Jules Michelet. With the publication of her highly original book "The I of History: Self Fashioning and National Consciousness in Jules Michelet," she introduced a novel perspective on the historian and his later work. Her unique approach to understanding the history of Napoleon and Michelet has been applauded by French academics.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Vivian was a devoted mother, grandmother, and wife. She had a wonderful, satirical sense of humor, was an uncompromising supporter of human/civil rights, and a loyal, unwavering friend to so many. Her children, Joshua and Anneka Benn, were her first priority, however. She would always go above and beyond for her kids, always challenging them to do their best in academics and sports. She was incredibly proud of their values and accomplishments as adults. Her indomitable spirit, feminist viewpoint, sense of humor, and perceptive insights built a deep and profound bond and love between them.

In 1965, she met Bernie Benn when he was a Peace Corps trainee and she a graduate student at Brown University. After returning from Tunisia, he somehow convinced reluctant Vivian to move together to Philadelphia. In 1969, she overcame her natural reluctance to marriage and agreed to join hands. After a European honeymoon, they moved to the Upper Valley, to begin what has turned out to be a 50 year life of support and affection in which each has followed separate careers, hers in academia and his as an architect and legislator. She brought her knowledge, elegance, and intelligence to their relationship; both shared long-time interests in politics, world events, the arts, and travel. They experienced the Soviet Union, Europe, Asia, and Middle East on various adventures. They have fond memories of being in their Paris apartment with friends and family, of drinking wine, eating good food, and sharing stories around the dining room table. The couple lived in Hanover, NH for most of their adult lives and returned to their first house in Union Village, VT in 2016.

Vivian's older brother Charles Kogan predeceased her in 2017. She is survived by, her husband, daughter Anneka of Manhattan, New York City, son Joshua, daughter-in-law Heather Benn, and two grandchildren Asher and Delilah of Greenwich, CT, and a younger sister Sheila Kogan Flannery of Kensington, CA. Her family misses her love, wisdom, and presence in all things.

The family would like to thank and express their appreciation to Vivian's doctors: Adam Schwarz of the Hanover Continuity Clinic, Bradley Arrick and the nurses of the oncology unit at DHMC, and the kind caregivers of Bayada Hospice. They not only supported Vivian's wishes for treatment, but were empathetic and respected her desire to live with dignity until the end of her life.

A graveside service was held at the Pine Knoll Cemetery attended by family and friends. Funeral Services were conducted by Rabbi Ilene Haigh and arranged by Rand-Wilson Funeral Home. A memorial celebration of Vivian's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Vivian may be made to the charity of your choice.