William (Bill) George Koch

Bill and Jeanette (Woltermann) Koch met on Mother’s Day, May 8, 1949. They were married at St. Mary Catholic Church in Columbus, Montana on October 20, 1951. They have four children. This was their 67th year of marriage.

As a youth, Bill’s family homesteaded and farmed in southeast Montana (Sumatra, Montana and later in Fishtail, Montana). Upon the advice of his parish priest, Bill applied for admission to the University of Notre Dame in 1942, later graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1947. During his time at the University of Notre Dame, he was drafted into the US Army and served in World War II until he was honorably discharged in 1946. He later received a Master of Science degree from the University of Montana and ultimately his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Illinois. Dr. Koch went on to become a chemistry professor at the University of Northern Colorado (formerly Colorado State College) for 29 years, retiring in 1984.

He then embarked on a second career at the Wyoming Public Health Crime Analysis Laboratory as an expert witness in blood sample, testing, retiring (for real this time) in 1996. For many years, Bill volunteered at St. Peter Catholic Church, with the Kiwanis Club of Greeley (he was instrumental in rehabilitating Kiwanis Park in downtown Greeley) and at the Room-at-the-Inn providing shelter for families in need.

He was also a third degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was as compassionate as he was intelligent and no one was a stranger to him. He enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandchildren, playing card games (especially Pinochle) and gardening. He always had a project in the works and brought many of his inventions to life.

He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, teacher and mentor but most importantly he was a man with a strong faith in the Lord.

Bill is survived by his wife Jean, sister Rena Koch (Billings, Montana); son, Nick (Susan), of Champaign, Illinois and their children Andy, Caroline and Chris, son Greg (Ann) of Fort, Collins and their children, Benjamin and Henry, son, Steve, (Shellie) of Greeley and their children Kylie, Haylie and Zach; daughter Carol (Tony) Landretti of Greeley and their daughter Gianna.

Visitation from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. Sunday May 13, 2018 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel followed with a Rosary at 6:30 P.M.

Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00 P.M. Monday May 14, 2018 at St. Peter Catholic Church with interment to follow at Linn Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church in Bill’s name in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th Street, Greeley, CO 80631.