THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Notables > Richard Koch

Richard Koch

Dr. 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 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. 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 as 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 member of the Pendleton Roundup and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame.

Rich is 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. Richard Arthur Koch Obituary". The Oregonian {Portland], Friday, October 17, 2003.
Last updated February 12, 2022.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
    • Reviews
  • History
    • Historical Timeline
    • Migration to Russia
    • Emigration from Russia
    • Settlement in America
    • Migration to Portland
    • Little Russia
    • A Short History of Albina
    • World War I
    • The Volga Relief Society >
      • Portland Volga Relief Society Subscribers 1921
    • World War II
    • Assimilation and Dispersion
  • Beliefs
    • Churches >
      • Albina Seventh-day Adventist Church
      • First United Mennonite Baptist Church
      • Ebenezer German Congregational Church
      • Free Evangelical Brethren Church >
        • German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church
      • Second German Baptist Church
      • St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • Second German Congregational Church >
        • Evangelical Congregational Church
      • Zion German Congregational Church >
        • Rivercrest Community Church
    • Pastors
    • The Brethren
    • Denominations >
      • German Reformed Church
      • German Evangelical Synod of North America
      • Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • German Congregational Church
      • Seventh-day Adventists
      • United Church of Christ
  • People
    • Our People
    • Notables
    • Pioneers 1881-1892
    • Stories
    • Photographs
    • Help Identify These People
  • Community
    • Characteristics
    • Businesses >
      • Bakeries Retailers and Services
      • Garbage Haulers
      • Grocery and Meat Markets
      • Restaurants >
        • Helsers on Alberta
        • McCormick & Schmicks
        • Wildwood
      • Saloons and Taverns
      • Suppliers and Manufacturers
    • Employers
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Maps
    • Documentary
  • Traditions
    • Foods
    • Folk Medicine
    • Expressions
    • Weddings
    • Holidays
    • Folk Music
    • Funerals and Burial Sites
  • Resources
    • Family Research
    • Books and Video
    • Works Cited