Richard "Dick" Koch

Richard “Dick” Koch left his earthly home on January 8, 2026, to join the love of his life Lois for their heavenly journey together. Dick was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 27, 1923 to Frank John Charles Koch and Hazel Leininger Koch.

Dick met Lois Jeanne Johnson at South St. Paul High School, and she was the only one for his eyes. Their life together was interrupted by World War II when Dick enlisted in the Marines the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He attended the V-12 program at the University of Notre Dame prior to being deployed to the Pacific Theatre as a lieutenant in the Third Marines. Upon returning, he finished his business degree at the University of Minnesota. He was reactivated for the Korean Conflict and served stateside. Once a Marine, always a Marine—and he was a proud one to the end. His worn Third Marines golf hat went with him everywhere, and he lit up when a young person would recognize it and say, “Semper Fi, Sir!”

Dick and Lois married on September 12, 1949. Dick worked in the meat packing industry for Swift Independent his entire life and was active in Rotary and other community activities wherever he lived. His faith was deep, and God came first. A cradle Episcopalian, he provided leadership in the churches he attended and converted to Catholicism late in life. He loved attending Mass at Christ the King Chapel at St. Ambrose University as seeing the young people in worship lifted him up.

Family meant everything to Dick. He and Lois worked to provide their family a happy and productive life. They fulfilled their dream of ensuring a fun family home base when they retired on a lake near Brainerd, Minnesota. Their children and grandchildren have many fond memories of summer and winter fun at the lake. Lois and Dick spent 60 years (and 4 months and 13 days as he always reminded us) together before Lois passed away on January 25, 2010.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Lutgens. He is survived by son, Steve (Jill Chafetz), daughter, Susan Cline (Roy), and son, Paul (Sherree). His five grandchildren [Melinda Kerns (Ethan), Andrew Koch (Jessie), Kristin Hansen (Nick), Amelia Cline, and Abby Cline] and eight great grandchildren (Cassie, Trevor, Alyssa, and Connor Kerns; Kinsley and Colette Koch; and Alaina and Elsey Hansen) were the light of his life and could always be counted on to lift his spirits.

Electing cremation, a Funeral Mass and interment will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Christ the King Chapel on the campus of St. Ambrose University. Gifts can be made to St. Ambrose University Campus Ministry or a charity of your choice. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.