Former Coloradan and former US spokesman for the US Embassy in Israel, Donald B. Cofman, died on May 6, 2026, in Northern Virginia. A service was held on May 14 at National Memorial Park in Falls Church, Va. Sagel Bloomfield Funeral Care made the arrangements.
Born on November 1, 1938, in Mankato, Minn., Mr. Cofman grew up in Watertown, SD, and Colorado Springs, where he graduated from Palmer High School and was active at Temple Shalom. Enrolled at Colorado College with a full scholarship, he left to pursue journalism in Washington State. He later completed his bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder.
Mr. Cofman worked as a foreign service officer at the US Information Agency, advancing mutual understanding between America and foreign audiences.
His career took him to Turkey twice, as well as Bulgaria, India, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Azerbaijan over 30 years of public service. He was the spokesman for the US Embassy in Israel, 1987-1991, providing media updates during peace negotiations and the 1991 Gulf War.
He helped open the first US embassy in sovereign Azerbaijan after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
He also served as the spokesman for the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau at the State Dept. in Washington, including during the Iran-Contra investigations.
Following his government career, Mr. Cofman moved to Turkey where he helmed the Turkish American Assn. in Ankara.
Mr. Cofman is survived by wife Oya; daughters Margolit Cofman (Geoff) Hillsberg and Tamara Cofman (Ben) Wittes; grandchildren Jeremy (Ari), EJ, Eric, Gabriel and Melina; brother Herb Cofman and sister Barb (Dan) Speck.
He is also mourned by his first wife, Rebecca Cofman.
Contributions may be made to Chabad Tysons Corner or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
© IJN 2026