Richard Koch

Richard C. KochJune 22, 1934 – July 17, 2011Buchanan – Richard C. Koch, 77, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana, surrounded by family.Dick was born on June 22, 1934, in Fort Wayne, IN, to the late Leo S. Koch and Hilda M (Gebhart) Koch.He graduated from Indiana University in 1956 and retired from Clark Equipment in 1995, where he had worked for 32 years. During that time he worked not only as an audit manager at the Buchanan, Michigan corporate headquarters but also for 2 years in Brussels, Belgium.On September 21, 1984 he married Betty (Northrop) Koch, who preceded him in death on October 11, 2009.Mr. Koch is survived by his son, Jerome R. (Julie L.) Koch of St. Joseph, MI, two daughters, Lisa A. (Chuck) Vetter of Quakertown, PA and Lori K. Koch of Upper Providence, PA, nine grandchildren, his brother Leo (Marian) Koch of Fort Wayne, IN, and his sister Barbara Bradtke of Saginaw, MI. In addition Dick is also survived by two stepchildren Jaime Gidley of Scottsdale, AZ and Jayson (Angie) Fankhauser of Niles, MI plus four step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. Survivors also include his beloved cats, “Miss Kitty” and “Skiddles”.Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Betty J. Northrop-Koch, daughter Ann Marie Koch, brother Jerome R. Koch, sister Gertrude Brames, stepfather Frank Gebhart, and stepdaughter Jennifer Polly.Dick served as the president of the Westmoreland Society of Glassware. He was an avid collector of Westmoreland glassware and House of David memorabilia. But, his biggest hobby was spending time with and staying up to date on the activities of the above mentioned grandchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.Services are at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 21, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 509 W. 4th St., Buchanan, MI 49107. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 20, from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Swem Funeral Home, 301 West Front Street, Buchanan, MI 49107. Private burial services will take place at a later date at the Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.Contributions in memory of Richard C. Koch may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service, 7301 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville, MI 49127.Those wishing to sign Richard's guest book may do so by visiting our web site www.swemchapel.com