Richard W. Kotch Sr.

1929 - 2025

Richard W. Kotch Sr., 96, of Renfrew, peacefully passed away in the comfort of his home Friday, May 9, 2025.
Each day he said, "I have lived the greatest life with the best family."
Born April 2, 1929, in Kingston, Pa., he was a son of the late Benjamin and Celia Kmieciak Kachinosky.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served during the Korean conflict.
Dick graduated from Wilkes College, where he played baseball and led the Colonels in home runs.
He spent his professional career as a tire salesman, employed over the years by General Tire, Premium Tire and Good Tire. Following retirement, he worked as a security guard at Center Township Elementary School.
A devout Catholic, Dick was a member of All Saints Parish, where he served as an usher and lector.
He was an avid sports fan who followed the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and the Pitt Panthers. He was a Steelers season ticket holder, and he attended Super Bowl XL in Detroit in 2006 to cheer on his favorite team.
He golfed in the American Legion Golf League, he was an enthusiastic bowler and he served as a youth baseball coach when his sons were growing up.
He belonged to the American Legion and the Butler Quarterback Club.
He played pinochle with his buddies on a weekly basis, he loved casino trips with his son, Bob, and he "invested" in the Pennsylvania Lottery with his particular fondness for scratch-off tickets.
Dick especially enjoyed cooking. His specialties were his famous vegetable beef soup, zucchini bread and haluski. He always called his kids over to get a share of the great food he prepared.
A sunshine enthusiast, he tremendously enjoyed beach vacations with his family.
Even with all his interests and activities, Dick's greatest love was his family.
He kept in touch with his grandkids with regular phone calls, and he used FaceTime to keep up with his great-grandchildren.
He traveled to watch his grandsons' basketball, baseball and lacrosse games. He also made sure to attend his granddaughters' dance recitals.
He is survived by four children, Ann Marie Snodgrass and her husband, Roger, of Harmony, Lisa Ames, of Tampa, Fla., Richard Kotch Jr. and his wife, Lisa, of Butler, and Robert Kotch, of Renfrew.
He was affectionately known as "PopPop" to his grandchildren, Austin (Jen) Snodgrass, Heather (Zach) Sydnor, Tyler Kotch, Nate (Kim) Snodgrass and Tanner Kotch; and "Big PopPop" to four great-grandchildren, Addison Sydnor, Brooklyn Snodgrass, Paige Sydnor and Bryson Snodgrass.
He was also a loving uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his beautiful, beloved wife, Mary Ann Budzyn Kotch, whom he married Nov. 16, 1957, and who passed away Nov. 23, 2022 - just about a week after they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary; two brothers, Benjamin and Frank; and one sister, Connie.
KOTCH - There will be no visitation for Richard W. Kotch Sr., who died Friday, May 9, 2025.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Butler, with the Rev. Kevin C. Fazio officiating.
Military honors will be accorded at the church by American Legion Post 778, VFW Post 249 and VFW Post 499.
Burial will take place in Butler County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All Saints Parish, 128 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, SOUTH SIDE, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.