Philip John Patrick Cochrane passed away peacefully on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2025, just three days after his 82nd birthday.
The former softball coach was born in Urbana, Illinois, on January 18, 1943, to James Cochrane and Alice Hettinger Cochrane as the second of six siblings.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Karen Eichhorst Cochrane, and their three kids: Ann Cochrane; Tim and his wife Linda Livesay Cochrane; Amy Cochrane Bayless and her husband Jeff Bayless.
Cochrane’s daughter, Amy, works at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, while daughter Ann Cochrane is a 5th-grade teacher at Champaign Unit 4 Schools.
His son, Tim, married Linda Livesay Cochrane on September 29, 2008.
A proud 1961 Champaign Central High School graduate, Phil remained deeply tied to his alma mater throughout his life. He volunteered in the football chain gang for years, where he met his wife, Karen Eichhorst.
Philip Cochrane and Karen married on April 25, 1964, and spent a blissful married life for 60 years until Cochrane’s demise.
The longtime couple raised three children: son Tim and daughters Ann and Amy.
A dedicated father, Cochrane helped his kids grow from serving as a 4-H leader and softball coach for the Somer 4-H Club to tackling home-improvement projects as they entered adulthood.
In addition to his wife and kids, Philip Cochrane, Phil was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill.
Professionally, Phil spent 33 years at Illinois Power Company in Urbana, primarily in the gas distribution department.
Retiring in 2001 as superintendent of gas operations for the Decatur service area, Phil transitioned into a 20-year consulting career that took him across the country.
Yet, his heart remained in Urbana, where retirement meant more time for golfing with loved ones and tending to neighborhood lawns on his mower.
Phil’s later years were full of memories created by the “Culver clan,” a group of high school friends and their wives. They would gather every Friday afternoon to reminisce about old times and create new ones.
The family expressed gratitude to the Carle, Clark Lindsey, and Transitions Hospice staff for their compassionate care during Phil’s final days.
