Edwin Gereaux KOCHER, DVM

KOCHER, ARNETTE, NELSON, EILTS, RENAIS, NEY, LEVI, CRAIG

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:51

Edwin Gereaux Kocher
12 February 1921 ---- 1 March 2005

Dr. Edwin G. (Koch) Kocher, DVM, formerly a resident of Lanesboro, Minnesota and of Petersburg, Illinois, and a highly decorated veteran of World War II, died March 1, 2005 at the age of 84, in El Dorado, Arkansas. On a mission from Africa to Italy during WW II, the bomber in which he was the navigator was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea. Despite his injuries, he survived three days in the water with only a life jacket. Hundreds of miles from shore, he was miraculously spotted and rescued by a British destroyer which was several miles off course. In an email message last year, Koch said "Sixty years ago today, I was twenty-three years old and trying to swim across the Mediterranean." The Army Air Corps awarded him the Silver Star, the EAME Medal with four Bronze Stars, the Air Force Medal with three Clusters, and the Purple Heart. After the war, Dr. Kocher received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University. He practiced in Lanesboro from 1950 until 1969, when he left private practice and joined the United States Department of Agriculture. While with the USDA, he lived in Petersburg until 1980 when he was transferred to Arkansas where he worked until his retirement in 1990.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Renee (Polly) Kocher and by five children: daughter Michele Arnette and partner Richard Nelson of Chicago, Illinois; daughter Pamela and husband Dr. Cameron Eilts of West Chester, Illinois; daughter Margaret Renais and husband Dr. Gregg Ney of Port St. Lucie, Florida; son John and wife Britt Kocher of Garner, North Carolina; daughter Dr. Sara Kocher and husband Dr. Dan Levi of San Luis Obispo, California, as well as by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jlibby&id=I152547

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[born February 12, 1921 near Goldfield, Wright County, Iowa to Ralph and Augusta (Craig) Kocher]