In Memory of Stephen Cosmas

Stephen Cosmas, professor emeritus in the International Business and Marketing Department, died Nov. 23 at his home in the Philippines. He was 70.

Cosmas joined Cal Poly Pomona in 1992 after teaching at DePaul University in Chicago and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va. During his 17-year career at Cal Poly Pomona, Cosmas taught several courses including principles of marketing, marketing research and market analysis. While teaching, he also attended law school and earned his juris doctor in 2008, shortly before his retirement.

Professor emeritus Helena Czepiec worked with Cosmas at Cal Poly Pomona and DePaul and remembers him as an outgoing person who was actively involved in university committees.

“He was a good researcher and a brilliant man,” Czepiec says. “But he was also student oriented and could make the subject matter understandable to his students.”

Cosmas had moved to the Philippines to be closer to his wife’s family and his funeral services were also held in his adopted country. As part of Filipino tradition, Cosmas will receive 40 days of prayer that will end Jan. 1. He is survived by his wife Remedios “Remy” Cosmas and his four children Andrew, Alex, Michaela and Sinead.

“He loved seeing his students learning,” his wife says. “Seeing his students become successful in their chosen career was one of his biggest achievements.”