Kenneth A. Koch

Kenneth Arthur Koch, 67, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021. He was born November 22, 1953 in Detroit to Arthur and Dorothy Koch (née Stoff). Ken grew up in East Detroit and was a long-time resident of St. Clair Shores.  

Ken was a graduate of East Detroit High School and the University of Michigan, where he studied engineering and graduated with a degree in Economics and Finance. Ken worked at his family’s business, Michigan Wire Die Company, which his grandfather founded in 1931. Ken enjoyed working with his father and sister Karen, as well as cousins and uncles, throughout his tenure. When Ken’s father passed in 1994, he continued to work at Michigan Wire Die under new ownership (MNP Corporation) until his retirement in 2012. He and a friend also had a landscaping business for many years.  

Ken was devoted to his family and cherished spending time with them. He had a deep love for his wife, Cindy--they were together for 38 years. He was so proud of his son Jeff, daughter-in-law Lisa and his adored granddaughters, Sylvia and Annika. When he spoke about his granddaughters, his face and eyes lit up. He treasured spending time and holidays with them, especially Christmas when they helped decorate the tree, hang ornaments, and, for a prize, searched for the off-colored light on the tree. He smiled ear-to-ear while showing off his big colored lights and giving the history of the Santa collection.

His sisters, Kathie and Karen, were precious to him, and he was so supportive of them and their children. Everyone’s go-to guy, they trusted his wise advice. He would always help and share his knowledge patiently with all, especially his nieces and nephews. They came to him for financial planning assistance, and afterwards he and Cindy treated to tacos and beer at a local eatery--it was always a special time. He loved family parties and talking with everyone, and with such a wide variety of interests, he could speak articulately about any topic.  

Ken was knowledgeable about so many things. He always wanted to learn and made time to do it. His tremendous intellect and quick wit held everyone captive and laughing. His stories and comments are legendary--people call them “Kenisms”. Cindy would say “I’m glad you think you’re so funny”, and he would just keep laughing. When Ken walked into a gathering with his cooler of Yuengling or Miller High Life, everyone knew the party was about to begin!  

His interests included cars (he loved to work on them with his buddies, and he even tricked out his mom’s red Mustang without permission when she was away for a weekend!), golf (including guys’ trips to Arizona and the Carolinas), landscaping, cooking, rock music, jigsaw puzzles, and working in his tool room, building and fixing just about anything. Ken shared interests and maintained a special bond with many very close friends; they have stayed in contact across years and miles (many had been friends since childhood). In later years, retirement provided him with more time for his hobbies, and he truly enjoyed his special time with Cindy watching Hallmark Christmas movies (even shedding a tear most times!)  

Ken was an avid Detroit Lions fan; his season tickets had been passed down from his Grandpa Koch to his father and then to him (since 1934). Watching the games, he sat on his dad’s knee when he was five years old and had been a committed fan ever since. He had some of the best seats on the field. He looked forward to attending the games with his buddies, and they watched many of the away games together.  

Ken loved to plan and travel with Cindy; he researched each location’s history before every trip. They had a goal to see the country’s beauty and visit all of the National Parks--they made it to 47. Florida was a favorite winter spot to visit special friends and relatives. He especially liked Key West where he made dear friends and enjoyed renting bikes to get around town. Family trips to Higgins Lake were always a summer treat; in more recent years, he enjoyed spending time there with the Manninos, Jeff, Lisa and the girls. He treasured summer trips to the Adirondacks in New York to visit Cindy’s cousins, working on the family train that surrounds their property, refurbishing a late 19th century home, and sitting at the bonfire near the lake, planning the next day’s events and enjoying the stars for hours on end.  

Ken loved the water so much so that he and Cindy chose to live in a condo on Lake St. Clair with a beautiful deck. All winter, he looked forward to spring when he could resume sitting on his deck in the early morning, listening to WJR, reading his finance magazines, and chatting with neighbors. When the wind would pick up, he would leave and see if the neighbor needed assistance with the flower garden. He loved working around the condominium complex doing landscaping tasks and making repairs, and he always helped so humbly. People would remark that he always looked handsome and well put-together, even in his t-shirt and flip flops. Ken was always a gentleman, holding Cindy’s hand when they walked, encouraging his family, and ready to help anyone in need. He loved so many, who will miss him greatly--his memory and the impact he made will live on in their hearts forever.

Ken is survived by his beloved wife Cynthia (née Carron), son Jeffrey (Lisa), and granddaughters Sylvia and Annika. He is also survived by a large family, including sister Katherine (Edward Mannino), and their sons Matthew (Leah), Philip (Kari) and Steven (Mary Beth), as well as sister Karen (John LoFrano) and her children Michael Mlynarek (Alaina), Daniel Mlynarek (Chelsea), and Laura Mlynarek. He was also loved by his great-nieces and nephews Gabriella and Salvatore; Cameron, Easton, and Brynn; Joseph; Emma, Sadie, Maverick, and Memphis; and Jackson. Ken was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Dorothy. 

The Carron family was also an important part of his life; he was predeceased by his father-in-law Patrick Carron and is survived by his mother-in-law Genevieve as well as Cindy’s brothers, sisters, and their children: Ronald (Pam) and children Jacqueline Mazzarra (Max), Allison, and Kevin (Caitlin); Deborah (Greg Nelson) and children Christine, Kathleen, and Gregory; Brian (Jane) and children Patrick, Thomas (Kristen), and Sarah; David (Mary) and children Joseph, Michael, and Margaret; Richard (Macaire) and children Melissa, Richard, and Daniel; Patrick (Sarah) and children Macklin, Catherine, and James; Anita (Paul Schmitter) and children Madeline, Eli, and Helen; and Michael (Gretchen) and children Anna, Lauren and Therese, as well as great-nephew Arthur and great-niece Harriet. 

A funeral mass is taking place on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 12:00 pm, at Our Lady Star of the Sea church in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI for family and close friends. The mass will be live streamed at www.olsos.org.  

Interment will take place at a future date.   

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Solanus Casey Center, 1780 Mt. Elliot St, Detroit, MI 48207, www.solanuscasey.org.