Obituaries

Dr. Andrew Koch, 101

December 12, 2022

Dr. Andrew Koch passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family at the age of 101. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, devoted husband, and compassionate physician as well as generous benefactor to numerous institutions and charities.

Dr. Koch was a graduate of Kutztown State College where he met the love of his life and future wife Mary Jane. Between his third and fourth year in college he served in the armed forces during World War II. He rose to the rank of First Lieutenant in the army transportation corp and participated in 7 North Atlantic crossings as well as landed on Normandy Beach at D-day plus 5. He stayed in the reserves and with the help of the GI Bill he attended Temple Medical School receiving an MD degree with AOA honors in 1951. During a subsequent 6 years in the Public Health Service he did his residency and internship at USPHS Hospital in Staten Island, NY and Columbia-Presbysterian Hospital in NY. During his time in the Public Health service he was a medical officer for the First Coast Guard District in Boston and then rose to the rank of Commander in the Public Health Service and served as Chief of Radiation at the US Public Health Service Hospital in Chicago, IL. After his first child was born, his wife urged retirement from military service due to frequent relocations.

He came to Lancaster in 1957 joining Lancaster Radiology Associates. He served as chairman of the department of Radiology at LGH from 1970 to 1986 and finally fully retired in 1997. He was instrumental in creating the School of Radiologic Technology and served as the director. He was a member of the Radiological Society of North America, the ARRS, the AMA, the Pennsylvania Radiological Society and Easter Radiological Society where he served as their president. He was a past secretary of Lancaster Sertoma, board member of the Lancaster County Chapter of the American Cancer Society and was a past president of the Board of Trustees of Grandview Heights Methodist Church.

Dr. Koch enjoyed life to the fullest. In college he was on Kutztown tennis team. He traveled the world with his family and visited 6 continents. In Lancaster, he enjoyed playing golf with his wife, often in matching attire, at Lancaster Country Club. He was fortunate to have had the opportunity to play Augusta National,
Pine Valley and Cypress Point. For most of his life, he had a dog which he would religiously walk twice a day and save various table scraps for “slop” that he enjoyed concocting. He also had a knack for telling corny jokes.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane, 3 siblings and most of his age group of friends.

He is survived by his daughter Pamela J Koch MD married to Raymond E Peart MD and his son Scott A. Koch. Scott’s dedication and compassionate care allowed his father to realize his wish of spending his remaining years at home. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Jenna Peart MD married to Tim Park, Kathryn Peart DNP married to Ole Eidsvik PhD, Patrick Koch, and Nicole Koch well as nieces and nephews. A celebration of life is planned for February 3rd at Grandview Church 888 Pleasure Rd at 11AM. Family will greet guests at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be directed to the Andrew W Koch, MD Radiography Endowed Scholarship at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences, 850 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, Pa 17601

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Condolences to the Family

February 02, 2023

Pappy was sharp as a tack, funny and the patriarch of the Koch family. He will be missed. His service to his country, including landing at Normandy, were notable, and in this way, we all suffered a loss with his passing. While grief for the Koch family may eventually fade, it will always be different without Pappy, and for this you all have my heartfelt condolences.

January 04, 2023

Andy left quite a legacy. And to make it stick he gave us Pamela, who boosted the Koch radiology legacy. He made quite an impact during my many years at the General. He was a superb teacher and always there to help me with my patients and especially our residents. I will always remember him with fondness and admiration. May his memory be eternal …. Nik Zervanos

December 24, 2022

Scott, I was sorry to here of your fathers passing. You did him a great service in looking out for him. Much like he had for you. We were young when around your Dad, obvioudly to young to realize his great courage and serevice he gave for this country! May he rest in peace.
Mike Rudisill

December 21, 2022

Dear Pam, Scott and family. I’m so sorry to hear about Pappy’s passing. He was one of the nicest men you’d ever want to meet. My sincere condolences to you and your families.

December 19, 2022

Dear Koch family, We are so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. We were privileged to know him and mourn with you. We know he had a happy life, able to live near and with family. Hugs and love from Terrylyn and Michael

December 19, 2022

Dear Pam and family,
I was sad to see the passing of your father and our Dr. Kock. He was such a gentlemen! It was interesting to read of all his contributions to public health before coming to Lancaster and his involvement in D day in WWII. He was humble, kind and a leader among us all in the Radiology department. We were privaledged to have him in our lives. God bless his family he loved so much.

December 18, 2022

Dear Pam and family,
So sorry to hear about your dad passing. May he rest in peace. He lived a fantastic life!. Gillian Walls

December 18, 2022

Dear Scott and Pam, I am so saddened to hear about the loss of “Pappy”. It just wasn’t a family get together without him there and I always enjoyed his stories and “corny jokes”. I know you both took great care of him and he was going to Roots right up to the end. He had a full and wonderful life and an angel of the highest degree is now keeping watch on all of us. My deepest condolences to you and all of his grandchildren and extended family. Elaine Keno

December 18, 2022

My sincerest condolences to Pam, Scott, Ray, Jenna, Kathryn, Patrick, and Nicole. Betsy Baucom

December 18, 2022

Dear Family, I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr Koch and wanted to convey to you the impact he had on me. I am a graduate of the Radiologic Technology program he created at LGH. Dr Koch obviously enjoyed his profession as well his ability to teach the art. He had a calm caring nature with students and his patients. In spite of his long diverse professional career I was more happy to learn that he had time in retirement to spend enjoying his family. God bless

December 18, 2022

Dr Koch is an giant in Radiology for LGH. My wife Sharon and I were blessed and fortunate enough to benefit from his leadership in developing the School of Radiologic Technology. I met my future wife there and we are both proud graduates from the school Dr. Koch founded.
He was indeed kind, fair, compassionate and a true leader in every sense. His legacy is just incredible!
His love of family was also evident. Many of us also had the opportunity to work with and come to love his daughter, Dr Pamela Koch-Peart MD. She followed her father’s career path in Radiology. There are not enough superlatives for a man who was extraordinary. He was also kind and humble at the same time. He will be missed…God Bless his soul….

Visitation: Friday, February 03, 2023; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Grandview Church; 888 Pleasure Rd; Lancaster, PA 17601
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Services: Friday, February 03, 2023; 11:00 AM; Grandview Church; 888 Pleasure Rd; Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >