John F.W. Koch

He was preceded in death by his parents, John A. and Helen E. (Sickman) Koch; and infant sister.

John was a lifelong Missouri Synod Lutheran as was his family who immigrated to this country from Germany in the 1840s. For many years he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Evansville but at present is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

He was graduated from Trinity Lutheran Grade School, Central High School, Purdue University. He also attended the University of Evansville, Lehigh University and the Rainbow University while in the U.S. Military in Austria.

John was a highly respected practicing Structural Civil Engineer. His first structure design upon returning to Evansville in 1955 was the steel framing for the original Roberts Stadium. He started his Engineering career with Swift & Company in Chicago. He spent four years in Paducah, Kentucky with F.H. McGraw Construction Company before returning to Evansville with International Steel Company for 31 years, and SISTEEL for four years. He managed his own consulting firm for several years and retired from Hodge Design in Evansville.

John served in the U.S. Military in the European Theater form 1944 – 1946. He was a member of VFW 1114. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at Purdue University. He served on many original boards: Wesselman Nature Center, Historic Preservation Society, Girl Scouts, Evansville ARC for many years, Horizon Homes Retirement Village, Past President of Indiana Society of Professional Engineering of Indiana, National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Professional Engineers. He also served as Past President for the following organizations; Evansville Day School, Lutheran School Board, Trinity Lutheran School, Purdue Alumni Association, Purdue Presidents Council, and Evansville Purdue Club.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wanda “Luke” (Stone) Koch; son, John F.W. Koch II of Richland, IN; daughter, Amy Jo Badger (Richard) of Huntland, TN; grandchildren, John F.W. Koch III of Medina, OH, Ryan C. Koch of Toledo, OH, Jennifer A. Koch of San Diego, CA, Richard Adam Badger (Heather) of Valparaiso, IN, and Nicholas Badger of West Lafayette, IN; brother, William B. Koch (Helen) of Evansville; sisters, Barbara Stahlschmidt (Robert) of Sarasota, FL and Helen Klamer of Evansville; and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 100 East Michigan Street, officiated by Rev. Chad Eckels, with burial in Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Avenue, and Wednesday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Lutheran School, 120 East Michigan Street, Evansville, IN 47710, Evansville ARC Inc., 615 West Virginia Street, Evansville, IN 47710 or to any favorite charity.