R. Joshua Koch Jr.

1953 - 2024

Robert Joshua Koch, Jr. of New Orleans died peacefully at home of cancer on August 2, 2024. Josh was born on December 24, 1953, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to Marguerite (Margot) de la Houssaye Koch and General Robert Joshua Koch. As the son of an Army officer, Josh and his five younger siblings lived all over the world. No matter where they lived, the family always found a place to sail together. When the Vietnam War began, the family was stationed in Hawaii, where they spent the longest assignment of their military life. For four years, Josh and his siblings lived in the Pacific Ocean, sailing, surfing, and swimming. Josh attended Bullis School in Maryland and graduated from the University of Oklahoma. When his father retired from the Army and settled outside of New Orleans in Covington, LA, Josh enrolled in Tulane Law School in 1975. He began his law career in New Orleans at various firms before starting his own practice in 1995. Josh adored his clients and loved guiding them through difficult times, many of whom became his friends. In 1995, Josh's hectic bachelor life turned upside down when he met Claire Noe on a blind date arranged by a friend. Sparks flew the moment Claire opened her front door. The couple married in 1997 and welcomed their precious daughter, Margot Jane, in 1998. Josh loved being a father and considered parenthood the ultimate privilege in life. Living in New Orleans allowed Josh to pursue his other passion: sailing. He enjoyed competitive racing on Saga, Decision, and Hawke, and later took to recreational sailing in Lake Pontchartrain with Claire and Margot on their boat, Exuberance. A man of boundless energy, he also competed in triathlons, a pursuit his wife never quite understood. Josh believed he must have run around Audubon Park no fewer than a million times. Cashiers, North Carolina, was another happy place for Josh and his family, where they loved hiking, growing dahlias, and enjoying the mountains with their Doberman Pinschers. Greece was also a cherished place for Josh, where he visited for the last time just three weeks before his death. He was determined to see the Aegean Sea one last time and spend time with his closest friends. Josh will be remembered for his kind demeanor, adventurous spirit, lighthearted and sometimes silly personality, determination, brilliant mind, and extremely handsome face. He lived by the words: "Do the right thing, the good thing, the kind and remarkable thing, for you may not get another chance." Josh is survived by his wife Claire, his daughter Margot, his dear mother Margot, and his siblings: Chris (Sara), Marguerite (Mike), Roy (Laura), and Lei (Ricky), along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, Brigadier General Robert J. Koch, and his brother, Beau Koch. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at the Southern Yacht Club at noon followed by a reception. Visitation will begin at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the HeartGift Foundation of Louisiana in his honor. www.heartgift.org