Obituary

Richard (Rick) B. Koch passed away peacefully in his home in San Clemente, California, on June 17, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. Rick was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on December 15, 1966, and was the seventh of nine children. He graduated from Bishop Dwenger High School in 1985 and from the Miller College of Business at Ball State University in 1989.

Rick had a successful career working in the wine and spirits industry for more than 30 years and was most recently the National Accounts Director for LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. His work allowed him to travel the world and experience adventures that many people can only dream of. His charm, kindness and humor engaged anyone who worked with him, and the relationships he built with his co-workers and clients made them feel more like family than co-workers.

Rick cherished his family and many friends, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rick is survived by his loving parents, Jo (Seifert) and Ben Koch; sisters Lynne Koch, Joan (Jim) Norton, Chris (David) Palmieri, Teresa (Ed, deceased 2021) Foss, Karen Koch, Jenny (Ken) Williams and Michele (Jim) Spolyar; and brother, Peter Koch. He was also the beloved uncle to 20 nieces and nephews and 13 great-nieces and nephews, each of whom he loved individually and who miss him deeply.

Details regarding a Celebration of Life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Surfrider Foundation, surfrider.org, which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans.