ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — The Howard County Government announced that former County Executive Dr. Edward L. Cochran died on Sunday evening.
"A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and cherished patriarch, he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to his faith, his community, and to those he loved," a spokesperson for the County Government wrote in a statement.
He first ran for County Council in 1968 and was elected Howard County's second County Executive in 1974.
In addition to his political career, he was also an accomplished chemist, earning a master's degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. He worked at the Applied Physics Laboratory, including doing work on free-radical chemistry.
He is survived by six children, including a current Delegate.
A funeral and Celebration of Life have been scheduled.
