Richard Koch
Richard (Rich) Arthur Koch was born on August 27, 1928 in Portland, Oregon, the son of Peter (Pete) and Anna Koch. Peter Koch emigrated from Kolb, Russia around 1912 with his parents and they settled in Portland. Pete married Anna Marie Hartung in 1925. The Hartung family emigrated from Frank, Russia.
Rich received all-city honors as a center and was awarded a trophy for his scholarship and athletic contribution at Jefferson High School. After high school, Rich attended Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) and served in the military during World War II. He played football for the 8th Army in Japan following the war. The 8th Army team played in the Yokohama area starting with the occupation of Japan.
Rich later decided to extend his education at the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health Sciences University) receiving a doctor of medicine degree in 1954. He served as a general practitioner in Pilot Rock, Oregon for many years.
Rich was appointed to the Oregon Racing Commission by Gov. Victor Atiyeh in 1984. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Inland Empire Bank and owned the R. A. Koch Ranches in the Pilot Rock area.
In 1988, Rich received the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award from Oregon State University.
In 2004, Rich served as President and a board member of Happy Canyon. In 2004, he was selected as a member of the Pendleton Roundup and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame.
Rich was the brother of Dr. Raymond Koch, another notable person from Portland with Volga German ancestry.
Dr. Richard Koch died on October 12, 2003 and was buried at the Pilot Rock Cemetery.
Rich received all-city honors as a center and was awarded a trophy for his scholarship and athletic contribution at Jefferson High School. After high school, Rich attended Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) and served in the military during World War II. He played football for the 8th Army in Japan following the war. The 8th Army team played in the Yokohama area starting with the occupation of Japan.
Rich later decided to extend his education at the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health Sciences University) receiving a doctor of medicine degree in 1954. He served as a general practitioner in Pilot Rock, Oregon for many years.
Rich was appointed to the Oregon Racing Commission by Gov. Victor Atiyeh in 1984. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Inland Empire Bank and owned the R. A. Koch Ranches in the Pilot Rock area.
In 1988, Rich received the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award from Oregon State University.
In 2004, Rich served as President and a board member of Happy Canyon. In 2004, he was selected as a member of the Pendleton Roundup and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame.
Rich was the brother of Dr. Raymond Koch, another notable person from Portland with Volga German ancestry.
Dr. Richard Koch died on October 12, 2003 and was buried at the Pilot Rock Cemetery.
Sources
Norman Koch, July 2015.
"Dr. Koch Appointed to Racing Commission." The Pendleton Record, Thursday, October 25, 1985, page 1.
"Dr. Koch Appointed to Racing Commission." The Pendleton Record, Thursday, October 25, 1985, page 1.
Last updated February 21, 2018.