“I want to emphasize that the degree was awarded to Dovi not as a gesture, but because he truly earned it.”— Professor Alon Wolf, dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Among those who received a master’s degree during the Technion’s recent graduation ceremony, was the late Dov (Dovi) Moshe Kogan, z”l. An M.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering was awarded to him posthumously and accepted by his widow, Shaked, his son, and his mother, Chaya.

Master Sergeant Dovi Kogan, 32, was deployed to the south on October 7, 2023, and fought with his unit in Be’eri and Re’im. He was killed in battle in Gaza on November 9, 2023. Dovi was a master’s student, nearing the end of his studies in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. After his death, his supervisor, Professor Shmuel Osovski, and the faculty dean, Professor Alon Wolf, initiated the completion of his final thesis.

Prof. Wolf noted, “I want to emphasize that the degree was awarded to Dovi not as a gesture, but because he truly earned it. Dovi left behind extensive notes, and in fact, his thesis was almost entirely written. We only had to finalize some connections and do some editing. The edited thesis underwent a full review by three independent examiners, who unanimously gave it a high grade.

“One of them even remarked to me that there are discoveries in the thesis worthy of publication in a leading journal in the field. The thesis then received the approval of the Graduate School’s Degree Committee and the Technion Senate. At the ceremony, I presented the degree to Dovi’s family with great respect and appreciation for his service in defending the State and his significant dedication to his studies, which were tragically cut short by his untimely death.”

According to Prof. Osovski, who supervised Dovi’s research, “Dovi was a brilliant engineer and an exceptional person. His character and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. In our many discussions, both professional and personal, Dovi demonstrated a rare combination of patience, deep thinking, and creativity.

“He had an extraordinary talent for resonating ideas in a way that ensured mutual understanding and often helped me refine my thoughts and notice details I had overlooked. This talent was a testament both to his intellectual abilities and his sincere care for others and desire to understand their perspectives, whether in professional or personal conversations.

“As an engineer, Dovi was remarkably talented and creative. He approached every problem with a positive attitude, viewing complexities not as obstacles but as fascinating challenges. His ability to tackle complex issues while finding ways to simplify them was truly impressive. His work on this project exemplified these qualities and made a significant contribution to the research.

“Beyond his professional contributions, Dovi inspired me to grow as a person. His unwavering determination, self-reflection, and deep commitment to unity were a source of inspiration. Dovi always emphasized the importance of seeing others, finding common ground, and demonstrating mutual respect instead of focusing on differences.

“Dovi showed me how to face challenges with grace and strive for continuous personal growth. The patience and kindness he displayed in every interaction serve as an example I aspire to follow. I hope for myself and for all of us to be worthy of his sacrifice and to honor his memory by striving to be better people, as Dovi was.”

Dovi was the third generation of his family to attend the Technion. His father, Meir, was a graduate of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, who played a role in developing Iron Dome, while his grandfather, Avraham, was one of the aerospace faculty’s founders.

The staff and board of the American Technion Society mourn the loss of a bright light dimmed before its time. May his memory be for a blessing.