Kenneth Wayne Koch

Kenneth Wayne Koch, 80, of Murrieta, CA, passed away on November 9, 2022 with his loving daughters each holding his hand, after he attained bilateral subdural hematomas from a fall. Kenneth (Ken) was born on December 19, 1941 to Herbert and Rose Koch in Chicago, IL. He lived in Whiting, IN until the age of five, when his family moved to California. He graduated high school from Lutheran High School in Los Angeles, and then he went to study at Concordia Community college, where he received a AA in Education. He further studied Engineering at Fullerton College, where he received his AS in Engineering. He later studied Electrical Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona, where he later conducted three electric vehicle seminars on

campus from 2006 to 2008. During his education in Engineering, Ken began work as a technician an engineer, a technician and lab manager. He worked at Autonetics, Pekin Elmer, Master Specialties, and California Computer Products (Calcomp). In 1991, Ken founded KTA Services, Inc., where he served as a

self-employed owner and an electric vehicle systems engineer. He loved the self-employment role the best.

Ken had great interest in two things: electronics and music. He was able to turn his love for electric vehicles into a job, and he remained an enthusiast for the rest of his life. In the electric vehicle circle, he is regarded as one of the forefathers for electric vehicle car conversion. He’d worked on a number of projects including the NFL helmet carts, an electric dragster, and a few projects in Hollywood, where he helped the studios attain environmental incentives for electric vehicle conversions for urban chase scenes. With regard to music, Ken was a Barbershop Harmony Society member for 51 years, where he sang in 8 quartets and 5 choruses. One of the quartets was Gentlemen Songsters, the Far Western District champions in 1979. They sang in international competition three times, and they even sang on national TV on the John Davison show, shortly after their win. Ken also sang

in other choruses including: The Temecula Valley Master Chorale, The Colony Chorus, Messiah Chorale, church choirs, among others. He also loved karaoke, as well as the church. He performed contemporary song worship, leading in four Lutheran churches for over 26 years. After retiring in 2008, Ken traveled the world, became proficient in ballroom dancing, and composed contemporary Christian and Barbershop music. He was involved in several clubs in his community with interests from the Over the Hill Game car club, to The Wine Valley Harmonizers.

Ken was predeceased by his second wife, Judith Ann Staudenmayer Koch, his father, Herbert Koch, his mother, Rose Miller, his brother, Herbert Koch, and his stepfather, Frederick Miller. He is survived by two step-brothers, Richard and David Miller, three children, Robert Koch, Cheryl Grant (spouse Tyson Grant), and Jennifer Whetstone (spouse William Whetstone), four grandchildren, Samantha Klecker (spouse Colby Klecker), William Whetstone, Cassidy Grant and Daniel Whetstone, and one great grandchild, James Klecker. He is also survived by two

ex-wives, Lynne Holt, and Wanda Koch. Ken was buried at Oak Park in Claremont on November 21, 2022, and a celebration of life was held January 28, 2023 with close family and friends.

He was loved by family and friends. One favorite quote of his was about Barbershop music. “Come for the music; stay for the fellowship.” Ken will be missed.