Richard Thorpe "Dick" Koch

Richard Thorpe “Dick” Koch of Frostburg died at his home on November 17 following a stroke. He was 90 years old. Born March 8, 1935, in St. Joe, Indiana, he was the son of the late Bruce Cyril and Ellen Lucille (Gee) Koch.

Richard graduated from Butler High School in Vandalia, Ohio, in 1953 and General Motors Institute in 1957. On August 11, 1957, the day after his college graduation, he married Sharon Lorraine Church in Flint, Michigan. During their 58 years of marriage, they lived in Danville, Ind., and Finzel, Md., before settling in Frostburg. He lovingly cared for Sharon during her 7-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease until her death in 2016.

He worked for a few years at his parents’ company, Vandalia Air Freight. In 1961, Richard was hired as a development engineer at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, Hercules Inc., in Rocket City, West Virginia. An aeronautical engineer, he worked on propulsion systems, retiring after 35 years with ABL.

He devoted countless hours volunteering. He and his wife ran the Meals on Wheels program in Frostburg for more than three decades. In 2004, they were recognized by the City of Frostburg with the Delbert Payton Community Service Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service.

Scouting was one of his passions. He served as a leader for 20 years, including as Scout Master of Troop 42 in Frostburg. In 1978, Richard earned the prestigious Wood Badge, the highest level of training in Scouting. He also belonged to the Order of the Arrow as a Scouter.

Richard helped to design and build Emmanuel United Methodist Church in Finzel in the 1960s. After moving to Frostburg, he transferred to Frostburg United Methodist Church, where he was active in the United Methodist Men.

Sharon and Richard hosted numerous foreign exchange students through American Field Service, and belonged to the Belles and Beaux Square Dance Club. He also participated in Toastmasters.

He was most proud of the work he did tracking genealogy. He published two books: Western Maryland Catholics, 1819-1851, and St. Luke’s Records 1829-Early 1900s. Richard also held many offices in the Genealogical Society of Allegany County, Maryland.

He is survived by a brother, Robert Denman Koch and wife Kris, of Enon, Ohio; a sister, Ellen Eileen Wise of Mansfield, Ohio; four children: Steven D. Koch, of Dale City, Virginia, Alicia D. Garbelman and husband Kevin, of Dale City, Celeste D. Nichols and husband Roger of Newark, Ohio, and Vivian D. Laxton and husband Daniel of Walkersville, Maryland; six grandchildren: Scott Garbelman and wife Danielle of Columbia, Maryland; Christopher Nichols of Newark; Austin Garbelman and wife Ashley of Renton, Washington; Emily Nichols of Newark, Alice Laxton and wife Noelle, of Walkersville; and Tim Laxton and partner Allison Millwee of Winter Garden, Florida; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends Virginia Ann Lattea and Andy Malone.

Arrangements are being handled by Sowers Funeral Home. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held next spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UPMC Western Maryland’s Hospice Services, or the Genealogical Society of Allegany County.