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Robert J. "Bob" Koch, longtime resident of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at the age of 94 from COVID-19. Born April 17, 1926, he was the son of Joseph and Mary Koch, who were of Chicago, IL, where he grew up and graduated from the University of Chicago. Bob served in the Navy in Word War II, where he was trained as a radio operator, leading to a lifelong hobby in amateur radio operation. After his Navy service, he attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he received his Ph. D. in Mathematics in 1953. Bob then became a professor at Louisiana State University, a position he held until his retirement. He also spent time at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Tulane University. Bob was an accomplished jazz piano player, and he had serious interests in amateur radio, photography and darkroom work, piloting small aircraft (he earned his Instrument and Seaplane ratings), playing and directing bridge games, and more. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Joan Koch, in 2001. He is survived by two children: Lisa Katherine Koch and son-in-law David Rohrlich, and Karl Joseph Koch and daughter-in-law Victoria Seal-Koch, and seven grandchildren: Ramesh Sen, Mary Katherine Koch, Rebecca Rohrlich, Cade Koch, Cameron Koch, Connor Koch, and Cooper Koch. He is also survived by five stepchildren, Mark Reilly, Joanne Grashot, Ward Reilly, Gail Barnett, and Linda Ferchaud. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. A memorial service will be scheduled at a future date, when it is again safe to have such gatherings. The family appreciates condolences but declines flowers and donations. "Truth is Timeless".
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bob, you are always in my heart. HH
Hui-Hsiung Kuo
August 8, 2023
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aE_Ov3qLRZM
Hui-Hsiung Kuo
August 8, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. We did have fun, especially at all those plays you couldn’t half hear. Lol. See you on the radio. Until we meet again, Ginger and Jayda from the Lunch Bunch.
Ginger Bailey
Friend
August 29, 2020
I hope you and Haskell are having a picnic somewhere. ❤
Danielle Cohen
Friend
August 27, 2020
I met Bob through a lunch group, and continued to have weekly lunches with Bob and a few friends, after that group disbanded. I know I speak for the others in saying how much we will miss Bob. He was a man of many interests, who excelled in many fields. I will miss his kindness and great sense of humor.
Sandra Pickering
Friend
August 25, 2020
I had Dr. Koch for Calculus at LSU around 1977. He was a great teacher. I'll never forget him singing the value of "e" (natural log) to god knows how many digits, to the class. I didn't know he was a pilot, I am too.
S. Mark Courter
Student
August 16, 2020
he was, without a doubt, one of a kind!
suzanne cohen
August 16, 2020
I PLAYED BRIDGE WITH BOB /WAS HIS PARTNER OFF AND ON. i KNEW HIM AS A GENTLEMAN, FRIEND AND VERY GOOD BRIDGE PLAYER. HE TAUGHT OUR DAUGHTER AT LSU. SHE GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS AND BOB REMEMBER HER TO ME. A LOVELY MAN AND VERY HANDSOME AS THIS PICTURE ATTESTS. M TOWN
marguerite town
Friend
August 15, 2020
Dear Bob, I meet you in 2000 when I joined the Reilly family as Ward‘s daughter and Grammys first and last grandchild.
In all those years that I knew your, you always showed me sweetness and kindness and never forgot to utter your only German sentence you knew once or twice while I was visiting, with this mischievous spark in your eye.
You were always on top of the technique and wrote me emails and showed me all your radio equipment at a Time when Personal computers were brand new.
Later, when I visited you in your new home, the only time I was there in, I think it was 2014, you played the piano for me. You always never seemed to age, but stayed exactly the same person. A dignified and warm hearted man.
I have wonderful memories of you and Grammy and the way you stood so sweetly by her side. She already had cancer in 2000, when I met her and you seemed so caring and loving around her.
I could see how all your step children love you and care about you, and how you were like a real father to them, maybe especially Linda, and how fatherly you behaved towards them.
Thank you for all the love and friendship you gave me!
May you travel on courageously! I have no doubt, you will.
Your Kind of granddaughter
Anne
Anne Kammerer
Family
August 15, 2020
Going to miss my Bridge Buddy.
Ken Barker
Friend
August 15, 2020
Uncle Bob was a character and an amazing man, uncle and an awesome bridge player. Whenever we would visit Louisiana or they would come here; My mom and dad, Uncle Bob and Aunt Joan would be up half the night playing bridge and all of us would hear them giggling; which made us laugh. We will miss you Uncle Bob. You were an amazing man. We’ll miss you. ❤ You and will miss you.
Elizabeth Morel
August 15, 2020
What’s up, doc? This is hh speaking ......................
From now on, I will talk to you in my heart ..........
Hui-Hsiung Kuo
Friend
August 15, 2020
Dear Lisa, Karl, and family,
What a talented and accomplished man! “May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace” (BCP).
Please accept my condolences on behalf of the administration and staff of St. James Place.
Grace and peace.
Jerry Phillips
Chaplain
Jerry Phillips
Acquaintance
August 15, 2020
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