Dale Wilmon Koch

1931 - 2018

Dale Wilmon Koch

Lynchburg, VA - Dale Wilmon Koch, 87, of Lynchburg, VA, died Wednesday, July 25, 2018. Dale was the husband of the late Emelyn Elaine Koch.

Born Thursday, January 29, 1931 in Rockbridge, OH, Dale was a son of the late Wilmon P. Koch and the late Oleta Rider Koch.

Dale is survived by his sister Virginia Louise Koch and brother-in-law John Kelley; his children: Barbara Bindrim and her husband, Tom, of Elkhorn, WI, Michael Koch and his wife Jennie, of Alliance, OH, and David Koch and his wife Cindy, of El Dorado Hills, CA; a step-daughter Patricia Fitzsimmons and her husband David; two step-sons James Fitzsimmons and his wife Judith, and Dana Fitzsimmons and his husband Philip; grandchildren: Kati Seiter, Noel Seiter, Matthew Koch, Nicholas Koch, Rachel Patterson, Ryan Koch and Brandon Koch. He also leaves four step-grandchildren: Berit Fitzsimmons, Jackson Fitzsimmons, Philip Walker and Jessica Wood; great-grandchildren: Jayden Seiter, Hayden and Gavin Koch, Kiera and Roman Koch, Emma and Allison Patterson and step-great granddaughter Bianca Walker.

In addition to his wife and parents, Dale was preceded in death by his sisters Jennie Lee Miller and Nolene Kelley, his step-grandson Richard Walker, and his first wife Gertrude Moeckel Koch.

Dale spent much of his life in Ohio, growing up in Rockbridge and then attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a commission in the USAF as Second Lieutenant. He was called to active duty in December 1952. He attended Oklahoma A. & M. for one year, then transferred to Army Chemical Center in Maryland, and then transferred to the Wright Air Development Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. As Captain, he was released from active duty in 1956 and began employment at the Alliance Research Center of the Babcock & Wilcox Company. He was transferred to the Nuclear Equipment Division in Barberton, OH (1972), then to the Utility Power Generation Division in Lynchburg, VA (1982), where he retired with more than 36 years of service (1993).

Dale was a loving husband, father and grandfather. In addition to family, he was devoted to the Presbyterian Churches in Alliance and North Canton, OH, and Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg, VA, serving in many capacities.

A celebration of Dale's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Saint Andrew Presbyterian with Pastor Dave Roberts officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, 21206 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502 or the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.