Russell Gordon Koch

Russell Gordon Koch, middle son of Gerald (Jerry) and Ann Jeanette Koch passed away Friday, September 3, 2010 at Seattle, Washington. He was born July 28, 1954 at Wenatchee, WA growing up in East Wenatchee. As a child, Russ participated in local sports including Little League baseball coached by his dad and Bill Hamilton, learning to ski in Waterville where his mother regularly took the boys for lessons and practice and later Mission Ridge, and joining the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Life Scout. He also wrote articles for the Waterville Empire Press. Russ always appreciated his teachers in the Eastmont school district where he graduated in 1972. While working a short time as a KPQ radio announcer, Russ became acquainted with and thought highly of Sgt. Champion of the local Marine Corp Recruiting office and decided to join the US Marine Corp. doing boot camp in San Diego and a tour of duty in the Philippines, Okinawa and on the USS Ogden. (Later, in private life when he had his own office staff, he would give them the day off on the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corp.) He returned to Wenatchee and worked for KPQ again until opening his own investment business, Koch Capital, for several years. Russ married Penny Hoskins of Wenatchee in 1983, and they moved to the Seattle area where he continued in the investment field for many years. In the last years the greatest share of his time was spent in the area of oil exploration, and he traveled extensively in this effort. Russ always enjoyed a physical challenge and for many years he participated in the Northwest triathlons, the Seattle to Portland bike ride, etc., climbing Mt. Rainier, and parachute jumping. On the flip side, he was a member of Mensa. Russ’ strong faith in Jesus Christ has come as a result of Christian influences in his life but also being a voracious reader since his youth through the presence. Russ has had many special friends over the years. These past months while he has fought the ill health that diabetes can bring, his close friends have been a special blessing to him and to his family. Russ has been an active and good dad to son Chris and daughter Kelsey. His presence will be greatly missed. Russ was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gene and Alma Koch and George and Myra Gruenberg, and his mother Ann Jeanette Koch. He is survived by his father, Jerry, of East Wenatchee, brothers Ken (Lucy) of San Diego, CA and Tom (Tami) and nephews Riley and Alex of Wenatchee, his aunts Arden (Bert) Buchanan and Linda (Terry) West, all of Wenatchee, and cousins Eric, Kevin and Bryan West of California and South Carolina. A traditional service will be held at Jones & Jones – Betts Memorial Chapel at 1: 00 P.M. Friday, September 10, 2010, with interment to follow at the Wenatchee City Cemetery. All family and friends are invited to attend. If you care to make a donation in Russ’ name, please do so to the charity of your choice. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Jones & Jones & Jones ~ Betts Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Tributes

Russell Gordon Koch

July 28, 1954 - September 3, 2010