PINE PLAINS — Dr. David Frederick Koch Jr., lately of Pine Plains, died at Geer Village on Aug. 26, 2015, after a short illness at the age of 92.
Born on April 5, 1923, in Elgin, Ill., he was the beloved son of Francis (Bowen) and David Frederick Koch Sr.
After graduating from Elgin High School in 1941, where he played football on an undefeated and unscored-upon championship team, he entered college at Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he also played football. His education was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II when he enlisted as a cadet in the U.S. Army Air Force, graduating with his wings as a Second Lieutenant before seeing service as an Army pilot in North Africa, Europe, Russia and South America.
He married his college sweetheart, Ruth (Campbell) Koch, in 1943.
After the war Dr. Koch returned to Iowa State Teachers College to finish his education with a B.A. degree and then began his teaching career with a year at Oakville Iowa High School, teaching English and coaching three sports before accepting a teaching and coaching position at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Ill., where he would live most of his adult life.
At York he initially taught English and coached football and basketball, rising to head basketball coach, before being appointed athletic director. He then was promoted to assistant to the superintendent of High School District 88 and in 1965 was appointed the first principal of the new District 88 high school, Addison Trail, in Addison, Ill., overseeing the school’s construction and development.
Dr. Koch was then appointed superintendent of District 88 before his retirement. While teaching and in administration Dr. Koch completed both his master’s degree and his doctorate in education at the University of Illinois.
After retiring, Dr. Koch and his wife, Ruth, traveled extensively before settling down to rural life in Pine Plains.
Dr. Koch is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth (Campbell) Koch, of Geer Village; his sister, Betty Lou Plapp, of Malta, Ill.; two children, Douglas Bowen Koch, DVM, of Pine Plains and Marsha Kay Rambow of Champaign, Ill.; and one grandson, David Christophe Rambow, of Granger, Ind.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Rememberances in his honor should be sent to DuPage High School 88- David F. Koch Scholarship Fund, DuPage High School District 88, 2 Friendship Plaza, Addison, IL 60101.
