The Tri-State’s Jeweler Since 1895Kruckemeyer & Cohn’s history has been shaped by three generations of jewelers who built the distinguished reputation it holds today. Perhaps the most beloved and memorable among them was Roger Levi, the grandson of company co-founder David Cohn.
It was 1895 when watchmaker Benjamin Kruckemeyer and jeweler David Cohn founded Kruckemeyer & Cohn in downtown Evansville. The family-owned business was destined to become synonymous with fine jewelry, master jewelers and an outstanding, professional staff. When David Cohn passed away in 1945, he left the business to his daughter, Mary Cohn Levi, and her husband Morris Levi, who had previously served as an infantry lieutenant in the famous 69th "Fighting Irish" regiment in World War I. For the next 25 years, the business continued to flourish and prosper. In 1970, at the time of Morris Levi's death, the business passed to the next generation once again when son Roger Levi took the reins. Born and raised in Evansville, Roger moonlighted in the family business while in high school and college. He joined the company permanently in 1954 after earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University and serving as a chemistry instructor at Purdue and a line officer in the U.S. Navy. In 1959 Roger became the first certified gemologist in Evansville and the first in the area to authenticate diamonds using a microscope. In 1962 Roger again distinguished himself by becoming one of the first official Rolex jewelers in the area. He also was one of the first in the area to sell diamonds certified by the Gemological Institute of America. Roger quickly earned recognition as a respected authority on the difference between natural and synthetic stones. The business originally occupied a free standing store in downtown Evansville, then a two floor operation in Eastland Mall. In October, 2003 Roger fulfilled a personal vision with the construction of a beautiful, free-standing store designed by a renowned architectural firm based in New York City. The 6,500-square-foot building on Burkhardt Road affords maximum display areas and two visitor lounges where husbands can watch ESPN and children can play and watch Disney while the ladies shop. As it has since 1895, Kruckemeyer & Cohn still has as its centerpiece a mercury compensated eight-day clock that in pre-electric days was used to provide accurate time for all the local railroads. These clocks are extremely rare, and Kruckemeyer & Cohn has one of the few working models in the Midwest. The store’s historic collection also includes the original bank book, which shows its first deposit in September, 1895, as well as several U.S. patents issued to store founder David Cohn. |
Roger Levi passed away in February, 2010 after dedicating 56 years to the business he loved and knew so well, and many mourned his passing. There is more about Roger’s legacy later in this story.