Warren J Koch Jr.

Warren J. Koch, Jr., known as Buddy to his family, died suddenly on November 28, 2011 at Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT at age 69. Warren was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer less than two weeks before passing. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was married for twenty years to Clair Lerner Koch, a native Brazilian and award winning local artist. Working with the art community in Stamford and NYC was the passion of Warren’s later years.

Warren was born to Rose Dauscher Koch and Warren J. Koch, Sr. in Houston, Texas where his father was stationed during WW II. He grew up in NY on Long Island and attended St. Ignatius in Hicksville, Bishop Loughlin HS in Brooklyn and Hofstra University in Hempstead. Travel was one of the joys of his life and he spent four years in the Navy which included serving on the USS Independence during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the late 1960’s, he earned his pilot’s license.

Warren started his career in the early days of computers. As an IT consultant in the mid 1960’s, he developed computer systems to detect imperfections in fabric manufacturing. This was a novel application of computers and helped to revolutionize quality assurance in fabric mills. In his later years, he managed his wife Clair’s art business and used his tech background to produce high quality art prints.

He has two children from his marriage to Betty Hardick, Rudolph Leo Koch and Joan Koch Palmer and two grandchildren, Ashley Palmer and Lacy Palmer. He also has a son, Thomas Koch from his marriage to Maria Utz, a daughter in law Isabel, and two more grandchildren, Andrew and Anabel.

Also surviving Warren are his mother Rose, 92; sisters Bernadette Casey and husband Mike; Rosemary Dobiac and husband John; Terry Koch-Bostic and husband Dave; Rita Noble and husband Steve; plus four brothers, Gerard Thomas; Philip and wife Nancy Scavin; Joseph and wife Stephanie; Paul and wife Victoria and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Warren was pre-deceased by his father Warren in 2001 and his sister Monica Williams in 2004. His family and friends will dearly miss his engaging conversations, wry wit, and disarming charm.

Visiting hours are 2-5PM on Sunday, December 4 at Leo Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street in Stamford. A funeral mass will be held Monday December 5 at 11AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford.