William Frederick "Bill" Koch Sr.

KOCH William "Bill" Frederick Koch, Sr., age 75, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at his home in Marble Cliff after courageously battling diabetes, heart disease and pulmonary fibrosis. Bill was born on June 27, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio to Helen and Arthur Koch, Sr., raised in Broadview Heights on a small farm, graduating from Broadview Heights-Brecksville High School in 1947, where he was inducted in 1985 as a charter member of its Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Ohio University on a football scholarship and graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies and Education. Bill taught high school at his alma mater, 1952-1956 and enjoyed coaching football, basketball and baseball. Bill married his bride Elaine (Harris) in 1952 and they relocated to Columbus in 1956 when he joined Industrial Nucleonics (Accuray/ABB) as a recruiter. After 23 years of service, Bill left Accuray as the Director of Personnel and joined Tosoh SMD, Grove City, as Vice President of Human Resources, retiring in 1995. Nearly 40 years of personnel management afforded him opportunities to touch many lives with his humor, good nature, fairness and innate ability to successfully match jobs to employees. Bill lived in Marble Cliff and was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Parish for 38 years. Dedicated to community service, Bill was elected and served as a Clinton Township Trustee (1961-1967), Grandview Heights Board of Education (1971-1975) and Marble Cliff Village Council (1975-1995). He volunteered with the Grandview Bobcat Boosters (1970-1985), served as Director with the GHMC Historical Society and was active in the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Bill often strolled the neighborhood, in recent years by golf cart, and had a wave hello for everyone and an opinion on most everything. He rarely missed Monthly Friday night poker club in over 25 years. He was a skillful participant in Grandview Parks & Recreation Volleyball League and a proud spectator at his children's athletic events. He cultivated the sweetest tomatoes and the tallest impatiens. Living with character and integrity, he daily practiced his philosophy of "do the right thing". A loving husband and dedicated father, he is preceded in death by his wife after 46 years of marriage. Memories will be treasured by their six children and spouses, Kim (Matt) Toussant of Upper Arlington, William, Jr.(Patti Swope) of Kentucky, Kay (Sam Ferrise) Koch of Nebraska, Terry (Jan) of Solon, Ohio, Karen (Dave) Wright of Clintonville, Katherine (Brian) Gatch of New Albany; and 13 grandchildren. Free of physical pain, Bill is now rejoined with his wife in Heaven with the Lord. Friends may call Thursday, February 10th, 2005 at the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 W. 5th Avenue, from 5-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. on Friday, February 11th, 2005 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 1559 Roxbury Road. Msgr. Romano Ciotola, Celebrant. FRIENDS ARE ASKED TO MEET AT CHURCH. PRIVATE FAMILY interment at the St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute in memory of William to the St. Vincent De Paul Society of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 1559 Roxbury Road, Columbus Ohio, 43212. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com.