Austin Robert 'Bob' Koch, 15 Jan 1915 - 04 Nov 2008

KOCH, GOODENOW, EDWARDS, MAAKESTAD, JOY, MOCK, GILLIES, SYMMES

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 1/15/2013 at 14:47:25

Austin Robert "Bob" Koch

Austin Robert "Bob" Koch of Ankeny, Iowa died Tuesday November 4th after a brief stay at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny.

Bob was born January 15, 1915 to Austin Rhyle and Caroline R. [Goodenow] Koch in Ida Grove, IA. He grew up on the family farm near Ida Grove and graduated from the Ida Grove High School in 1933. He graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Agronomy in 1938. After college, Bob joined the Farm Securities Agency in Albia, IA as Assistant County Supervisor in 1940. He married Virginia J. Edwards of Lovila, Iowa on October 4th 1941.

Bob served 3 years in the US Army station at O'Riley General Hospital in Springfield, MO and the Philippines.

Bob spent 33 years with the United States Department of Agricultural with Farm Securities Agency now the Farmers Home Administration as Assistant County Supervisor in Albia, IA, County Supervisor in Marengo Iowa, District Supervisor in Oskaloosa, IA and State Farm Specialist in Des Moines, IA.

In 1948 Bob moved to Marengo, IA where he was active in the Methodist Church, City Council, Kiwanis International and the Boy Scouts of America.

Bob moved to Oskaloosa in 1967 where he was a member of the Methodist Church, Kiwanis international and Boy Scouts of America.

In 1973 he moved to Ankeny Iowa, working the remainder of his career as Farm Specialist with Farmers Home Administration. While in Ankeny Bob was active in the Methodist Church, Kiwanis international, Boy Scouts of America, and Ankeny Chamber of Commerce. He also severed on the board of directors of the Ankeny Cyclone Club, past president of the Iowa Nut Growers Association and member of the Walnut Council.

After retirement in 1975 Bob remained active in the Ankeny real estate and appraisal business and was a member of the Iowa State Arboretum. In 1996 he planted 15 acres of walnut on a farm in Melrose, IA which remains his "legacy" for future generations.

He was a life member of the American Legion, serving in the American Legion Post 42 in Ankeny.

Bob is survived by his wife, Virginia J. Koch of Ankeny, son, Clark Edward Koch and his wife, Donna of Boise, ID; seven grandchildren, Dennis Edward Koch of Boise, ID, Kathleen Jean Koch of Oskaloosa, IA, Wendy Maakestad of Hubbard, IA, Laura Joy of Gresham, OR, Terry Mock of Camray, IA, Candice Koch of Colorado Springs, CO, and Nicholas Koch of Mt. Pleasant SC, plus ten great grandchildren.

Bob is proceed in death by his parents; his son, Austin Robert Koch Jr; brothers, Harlan Koch and Ellery James Koch; sisters, Rachel Gillies, Esther Symmes, and Lois Koch.

Services for Austin Robert Koch will be held at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut St. Ankeny, IA, at 11:00 am, on Friday November 7, 2008 with interment at the Woodburn Cemetery in Woodburn, IA at 3:00pm. Visitation will be from 5 to 7pm on Thursday, November 6th at Ankeny Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mid-Iowa Council Boy Scouts of America at PO Box 3009, Des Moines, IA 50316.

11/6/2008, Ida County Courier
[bracketed per his father's obituary]