JOHN S. KOCH Jr.

KOCH JOHN SUMNER KOCH, JR. (Age 54) A lifelong resident of the DC area, died January 30, 2015, following complications from a cardiac arrest in August. He was a graduate of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and St. Albans School. In his youth, Mr. Koch was a talented singer and actor. He performed at Arena Stage in 1974 in Elie Wiesel's, "The Madness of God," playing the son of a character portrayed by actress Dianne Wiest. He remained a member of the cast when the show was filmed in New York the next year. As a student, he also performed at the St. Albans Repertory Theater, most memorably in the original musical, "James the Dragon Slayer." During the show's 16 performances, Mr. Koch, then 10, regularly brought down the house with his exuberant rendition of the song, "My Girl," according to Director Ted Walch. "As incandescent a stage presence as I have ever known," recalled Walch, who has taught acting for 50 years and founded four professional theaters. "John was full of energy, spirit, and humor - as popular behind the scenes as in front of an audience," said J. Adrian Verkouteren, the show's creator. As a college student, Mr. Koch was lead singer in a rock band, The Restless Knights. Mr. Koch possessed keen intelligence, a wonderful sense of humor and pluck. He had an enormous interest in people, a remarkable ability to connect and enjoyed strong friendships. Mr. Koch worked as a volunteer at times, starting with the John Anderson presidential campaign in 1980. In more recent years, he volunteered at the Cleveland Park Library and on a farm in Massachusetts. A former long-distance runner, he loved to take long walks as an adult. He was an avid sports fan and was delighted when the city welcomed back professional baseball with the Washington Nationals in 2005. Beloved by his family and friends, he is survived by his mother, Constance Chadwell Koch of Washington, DC; two sisters, Anne Elizabeth Koch of Seattle, Washington and Sarah Grace Koch of Brooklyn, New York; a brother, Peter Chadwell Koch of Washington, DC; and four nieces, Claire Seymour, Grace Seymour and Caroline Seymour, all of Brooklyn, New York and Catherine Koch of Washington, DC. He also will be deeply missed by two brothers-in-law, Charles Taylor of Seattle, Washington and Sloan Seymour of Brooklyn, New York, and a sister-in-law, Karolina Arias Koch of Washington, DC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. at The Little Sanctuary at St. Albans School on the Cathedral Close.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 4 p.m. at The Little Sanctuary at St. Albans School on the Cathedral Close.