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 attended Highland Grade School. He received Portland Interscholastic League all-city honors as a center on the football team. In 1944, Rich won Jefferson High School's Hopkins-Jenkins Award for his scholarship, citizenship, and athletic contributions.
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 was stationed in the Yokohama area, beginning with the occupation of Japan.
Rich later decided to extend his education at the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health Sciences University), where he received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1954. He served as a general practitioner in Pilot Rock, Oregon, for many years. He delivered over 2,000 babies during his years of medical practice.
Rich was appointed to the Oregon Racing Commission by Gov. Victor Atiyeh in 1984. He served as a charter member of the Wildhorse Casino board of directors. 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.
Rich loved sports and was invited to try out for the U.S. Olympic trapshooting team.
In 1988, Rich received the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award from Oregon State University. In 1989, he received the Charles A. Preuss Distinguished Alumnus Award from Oregon Health Sciences University.
In 2004, Rich served as President and a board member of Happy Canyon. In 2004, he was selected as a Pendleton Roundup and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame member.
Rich is the brother of Dr. Raymond Koch, another notable person from Portland with Volga German ancestry.
Dr. Richard Koch passed away on October 12, 2003, and was interred at Pilot Rock Cemetery.
Rich attended Highland Grade School. He received Portland Interscholastic League all-city honors as a center on the football team. In 1944, Rich won Jefferson High School's Hopkins-Jenkins Award for his scholarship, citizenship, and athletic contributions.
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 was stationed in the Yokohama area, beginning with the occupation of Japan.
Rich later decided to extend his education at the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health Sciences University), where he received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1954. He served as a general practitioner in Pilot Rock, Oregon, for many years. He delivered over 2,000 babies during his years of medical practice.
Rich was appointed to the Oregon Racing Commission by Gov. Victor Atiyeh in 1984. He served as a charter member of the Wildhorse Casino board of directors. 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.
Rich loved sports and was invited to try out for the U.S. Olympic trapshooting team.
In 1988, Rich received the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award from Oregon State University. In 1989, he received the Charles A. Preuss Distinguished Alumnus Award from Oregon Health Sciences University.
In 2004, Rich served as President and a board member of Happy Canyon. In 2004, he was selected as a Pendleton Roundup and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame member.
Rich is the brother of Dr. Raymond Koch, another notable person from Portland with Volga German ancestry.
Dr. Richard Koch passed away on October 12, 2003, and was interred at Pilot Rock Cemetery.
Sources
Norman Koch, July 2015.
"Dr. Koch Appointed to Racing Commission." The Pendleton Record, Thursday, October 25, 1985, page 1.
"Dr. Richard Arthur Koch Obituary". The Oregonian [Portland], Friday, October 17, 2003.
"Dr. Koch Appointed to Racing Commission." The Pendleton Record, Thursday, October 25, 1985, page 1.
"Dr. Richard Arthur Koch Obituary". The Oregonian [Portland], Friday, October 17, 2003.
Last updated October 7, 2025